Happy Mother's Day!

“My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”

~George Washington


Wishing you a lovely Mother's Day honoring and remembering the most selfless, beautiful, loving, funny and wonderful woman ever... Mom.


I love you, Mom!

Twilight Takes Over Baby Names

Holy vampires... it's official! The Twilight phenomenon has swept the nation and has now taken over babies everywhere!



Yes, as insane as it may sound... it's true! My lovely Dad, sheer genius extraordinaire, brought this to my attention this evening as he came across a story in the local newspaper:

________________________________

Isabella, Jacob are Top U.S. Baby Names.

"Mom and Dad may be looking to popular vampire books for baby names: Cullen is on the rise for boys.

Isabella is now the top baby name for girls, Jacob for boys, the Social Security Administration said Friday. Isabella's climb to the top in 2009 ends Emma's one-year reign. Jacob is on an 11-year run at the top.

Edward Cullen is one of the lead characters. Edward moved up 11 spots, to No. 137 on the list, and Cullen was the biggest riser among boys' names, up 297 spots to No. 485."

- Associated Press (via Wichita Eagle)
________________________________

Isn't this funny/crazy?! I think it's so interesting how pop culture effects us!

...I love it!

So, for your pure enjoyment and to quench your overwhelming curiosity... I present the top 10 boy and girl baby names of 2009.


Boy Names

1) Jacob
2) Ethan
3) Michael
4) Alexander
5) William
6) Joshua
7) Daniel
8) Jayden
9) Noah
10) Anthony


Girl Names

1) Isabella
2) Emma
3) Olivia
4) Sophia
5) Ava
6) Emily
7) Madison
8) Abigail
9) Chloe
10) Mia


Do you know anyone who has recently turned their baby into a statistic?! If I were married and expecting, I certainly would not be opposed - especially to those cute feminine girly names!

No worries, as do most girls, I've mentally noted baby names that I love for a million bajillion years from now. No matter how popular current trends are, you simply like what you like, so we'll see how my baby names rank in the year 2073... oh lordy!


On another note, in honor of the next installment of the Twilight saga movies...

...52 days to go until Eclipse!


I hope your weekend has been nothing but wonderful!

Starbucks Your Way Skinny

So I don't know about you, but I love coffee. I love it... like obsession-style love it - Woah! Although, however simple and mindless having a coffee may seem, after awhile all of those calories add up!

Due to the vast approcahing summer season I've got to whip my rear in gear to be swimsuit ready! [I know, I know... just the thought of swimsuit shopping makes your cringe too, right?]



Well, don't your worry my friends, my beloved Starbucks has added new light drinks to their waistline friendly options - YUM! Thanks to the variety of these healthier options I can get my caffeine fix, conquer my incessant sweet tooth, and stay on track for bikini season!

Yummy Starbucks Light
(tall 12oz - nonfat milk)

Caffe Latte - 100 calories, 0g fat
Skinny Flavored Latte - 90 calories, 0g fat
Cappuccino - 60 calories, 0g fat
Caramel Macchiato - 140 calories, 1g fat
Iced Caffe Mocha - 130 calories, 2g fat
Iced Cinnamon Dolce - 130 calories, 0g fat
Coffee Light Frappuccino - 80 calories, 0g fat
Mocha Light Frappuccino - 100 calories, 0.5g fat
Java Chip Light Frappuccino - 140 calories, 2.5g fat
Soy Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino - 190 calories, 1.5g fat
Caramel Light Frappuccino - 90 calories, 0g fat
Vanilla Light Frappuccino - 130 calories, 0g fat
Tazo Shaken Iced Green Tea - 60 calories, 0g fat
Tazo Black Shaken Iced Tea Lemonade - 100 calories, 0g fat



What's your favorite bikini friendly treat?





...Cheers to drinking ourselves swimsuit slim!

Happy Friday Wishes!

Hello lovely readers, and happy Friday to you! I hope your weekend is full of wonderful things!

I have taken the day off to drive home and take care of my little invalid - poor thing! So, I am getting ready to load my bags [and Beast] in the car, grab a Starbucks - my Friday special... yum! - and hit the road.

Mom and I are going to relax and watch movies all day, because that's what she wanted to do [and whatever Mom says goes - haha]! I'm totally excited to have some one-on-one mother/daughter bonding time, watching Julie & Julia and chatting about lovely girly things! A little pre-Mother's Day celebrating... delightful!


What do you have on your fun list today?


...Wishing you a fabulous Friday!

Things I Love Thursday

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love 2010 spring/summer fashion. The big trend this year is soft, feminine fashion.

I love everything about the ruffles, pretty details, sparkle and floral prints! Let's not forgot about the adorable girly accesories too!


Some of my favorites...








I can't wait to find some fabulous deals and steals this spring! What fun fashion trends are you excited for?


Time to shop...

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

strawberry margaritas + guacamole + bright pinatas
yummy tacos + salsa & chips + sopapillas
great music + good company

FIESTA!


Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday full of celebrations!

Get Well Soon, Mom!

My sweet little Mommy had a terrible mishap this morning... she fell down some stairs and broke the top of her humerus bone. After visiting the hospital they got her all bandaged up and sent her home with pain killers to get some rest until she visits the specialist tomorrow.



~ Poor little Mommy! ~

So in an effort to make her feel better and send her sweet get well wishes... an ode to healing...


Magic Wand

I wish I had a magic wand
To make it go away;
I'd wave my scepter over you
Until you were okay.

I'd think good thoughts; I'd send you love;
I'd transmit healing vibes;
My wand and I would surely beat
Whatever the doc prescribes.

But there is no magic scepter, so
I cannot cast a spell;
Just know you're often in my thoughts,
And I hope you'll soon be well!

By Joanna Fuchs



Get well soon, Mom! Miss you, love you and I'll be there to take good care of you this weekend!

Summer Adventure

Today is one of those days where my morning was full of busy, mindless work. The good thing about not actively thinking is the more time on my hands to daydream about a lovely summer adventure... Mmmmm!



I got to reading one of my new favorite cute-as-can-be blogs [A Blonde Ambition] and was inspired to dream up a new adventure. This summer, I'm thinking roadtrip!


windows rolled down + oldies music blaring + yummy homemade snacks
wind in my hair + smile on my face + playing car games
amazing conversation + lots of laughter
sunglasses on + making memories
Amazing.




Now all I have to do is figure out the who and the where and I'm adding it to my calendar! Any takers?


What's on your summer adventure list?


Wishing you a beautiful, dream-filled Tuesday!

Running Music Must-Haves

I laced up my tennis shoes and gobbed on the SPF for a post-work run in the sunshine with my Bella Beast.

I wish I could say that my inspiration comes from the satisfaction of a good long run, or the desire to push myself, but quite honestly... it's my new running playlist [and maybe a little from wanting to look good in my bridesmaid dress at my best friend's wedding] that gets me moving!





So, without further adieu...
_______________________________


My Current Running Jams

"Something Beautiful"
- Needtobreathe

"Your Love is My Drug"
- Ke$ha

"Solo"
- Iyaz

"Borderline/Open Your Heart"
- Glee

"Barbie Girl"
- Aqua [Yes, I'm serious.]

"Break Your Heart"
- Taio Cruz [feat. Ludacris]

"Gravity"
- Chris Brown

"Fire Bomb"
- Rihanna

"Bring It Back"
- J Sean

"Put Your Arms Around Me"
- Natasha Bedingfield

"White Houses"
- Vanessa Carlton

"Here In Your Arms"
- Hello Goodbye

"Heartbreak Warfare"
- John Mayer

_______________________________


As always, I switch it up every 2 weeks or so and I'm always open to new running music suggestions!

Need more music inspiration? Check out SELF magazine's workout playlists - love it!



What gets you moving?

Top 10 Lovely Weekend List

Fabulous weekends deserve even more fabulous weekend recaps... that being said, the top 10 wonderful, lovely little things that made my weekend...




1) Sushi/FroYo date with Karen
- I love trying new, fabulous restaurants! We found Domo Sushi in Brookside, sat outside on the pretty patio and noshed on our delicious sushi rolls. Topped of dinner with tasty FroYo... thanks Karen!



2) Met Adorable Neighbor Friends
- Puppy and I were enjoying Friday evening watching the sunset from my patio when 2 little boys [as cute as can be!] came up and just started talking... 20 min. later we were best friends.


3) City Market Flowers
- Went down to the River District to check out the beloved City Market [a huge historical outdoor venue that hosts local produce, florists, and artists to sell their products].
- Saturday was Flower Frenzy weekend! That being said I escaped only spending $25 on a beautiful hanging flower basket with all kinds of pretty purple, pink and yellow flowers, and a huge pot of bright pink geraniums! Needless to say my patio is now a garden haven... Mmmmm.




4) Brookside Art Festival
- Great people watching, art observing, and food sample testing - yum!


5) Barley's Brewhaus
- This place is a staple for my super fun KC friends! Good beer [Anchor Steam... delish!], great music, and spontaneously running into lovely friends - love you, Paigey!


6) Spa Pampering
- I had never been introduced to the wonderful world of massages until this weekend. I cashed in my spa gift certificate that I received for Valentine's Day [Thanks BF!] and was pampered silly! Warm foot soaks, relaxing music, yummy cucumber water, 60 minute deep tissue massage and a steam shower treatment. After two relaxing hours, I left the spa feeling as limp as a spaghetti noodle.


7) NY&Co Sale Finds
- Due to my self-imposed restricted budget, I haven't "let" myself shop in months... until yesterday. I was sent an e-mail from NY&Co. cleverly reminding me that they were having their 50% off sale. I thought I would just swing by [knowing I had a gift card made it slightly justified], and I found tons of cute stuff, conveniently all in my size. Case in point: adorable brown leather gladiator wedges - $15 - Yes please! I left the store with a bag full, spending only $20 total after using my gift card.



8) Forgiveness Series
- Another amazing message in the forgiveness series at church. So happy to have found a church home and I'm looking fwd to young adult Bible study this week!


9) Homemade Pizza/Creme Brulee
- Inspired by Miss Karen, I decided to make homemade pizzas [recipes coming soon!] for Sunday date night. I made BBQ chicken bacon pizza [One of BF's faves] and a pepperoni four cheese [using the fresh ingredients purchased at City Market], and my kitchen was full of delicious aromas... pizzas = success!
- Ummm, I'm dating a culinary mastermind. After months of taunting, BF taught me how to make a delicious vanilla cinnamon creme brulee [torched sugar topping included]! I completely loved learning something new and playing with fire is soooo fun!




10) Pirate Radio
- Have you seen this movie? Absolutely wonderful. Full of great acting, wonderful music and enough brilliant humor to make your sides sore for days... definitely a must rent!



...Wow! How am I expected to recover from a weekend that was that incredible? And an even better question, how will I top it this next weekend?!


.: What did you do this weekend that made you smile? :.


Hope your weekend was all sorts of lovely and your Monday is off to a beautiful start!