Stop Selling Me Stuff in a Box

I love reading my favorite blogs when I take a 15 min coffee break mid-morning, after the prior evenings emails are answered (half my job is based in CA where I can never stay awake long enough to respond same day), before I return the numerous voicemail blinking away on my phone. But lately, what the heck is with everyone peddling products?  I have developed an actual aversion to boxes lately, for fear someone will try to sell me a subscription to one, filled with leggings, face wash, tea, weight-loss shakes (gag).

It trickles down from celebrities on Instagram (Im looking at you Lisa Rinna) professing their love for magic tea to flatten your stomach, coordinating gym clothes, boxes filled with more crap you dont need that can be delivered to your door every month, or some other nonsense. But it seems to have infiltrated even the bloggers south of celebrity status, just average women, moms, fashion fans, trying to convince me I just need this {insert item no one really needs} for some innocuous reason and similarly middle market prices, which, over time, would actually accumulate to a significant waste of money.

A swatch of a new shade of lipstick and an honest review of it? Definitely. An artfully done flat lay of someones new fall fashion finds? Please.  But I have a hard enough time buying formula and diapers at Target and trying to resist the craft, clothing and ever expanding stylish home accent aisle. I certainly don't need more crap peddled at me from all angles which I previously sought solace and a brief moment of pleasure from. I have un-followed several blogs recently, and think I need recommendations for sites with more cat videos.

Formal Wear Without A 'Formal' Budget

Fall has generally not been as big a wedding season perhaps as June, but for us, our very best friends (and both sets of parents) celebrate wedding anniversaries this season. I think more and more couples opt for the cooler temps and colorful foliage these days, and enjoy the wider range of attire choices it affords. For me, fall and winter become our default formal season since my largest clients host annual fundraising galas, and I cant really pull off the same dress more than once (Tom is lucky enough to be able to recycle his Tux at least a handful of times).

In the era of online shopping, gone are the days where men must rent itchy, worn tuxedos from stodgy department stores. There are so many more options these days for affordable, stylish ensembles. The Black Tux is one of these choices and for me (since I'm generally in charge of outfitting the entire family not just on a daily basis, but also for special events) its become a first stop for me. I've mentioned before how important the at-home try on is, and the invariable #budget is a looming concern. This hits both marks for me.

Diary of a Mom: Working Mom Guilt Edition

I'm practicing mindfulness, and trying hard to wake up happy even on mornings where I have slept less than 4 hours, have to bring the baby to daycare, have to drive to New York, blah blah blah. I know many working moms talk about the guilt associated with having to be at 'work' most of the day, but I don't find this to be my largest source of stress or guilt. Rather the effect that work can have on my patience, and my unfiltered reaction to my kiddos is where my guilt blooms.

When my darling 6 year old says 'mommy' for the 27th time in a 10 minute span, and I sigh audibly before answering him, this is guilt. Because he is trying to show me the track he constructed along the basement floor by himself, or recite a math lesson from school for me, or ask me which of the model trains he collects from the museum gift shop is my favorite.

That small wish I unconsciously make for solitude, for silence, for a glass of wine instead of holding a container of chocolate milk, that is guilt. Working all day at a job I enjoy, feeling proud to be an attorney with large scale responsibilities at a relatively young age, that is fulfillment and modeling hard work for my children, not guilt. The challenge to reserve space on that full emotional plate is what I work at, elusive at times, but most true challenges are. So deep breath, happy face, tight hugs.

Lips to love

Please, oh please, stop with the matte lipsticks! Are these really flattering for anyone? They make my lips look like dried, shriveled prunes left out in the sun and feel like my son's school glue. I am all about smooth, hydrating products and generally opt for neutrals. But I do love a pop of color to brighten a look, and these picks are among my favs and stand the test of time.

Wedding Bells

September is such a bittersweet month for our family, and the crisp air and low afternoon sun remind me vividly of our wedding 8 years ago today. We always take out the album and look through our amazing pictures on our anniversary, and open a bottle of wine a cut above a usual week night selection. Cheers to number 8 my love!

Autumn Accents

I love to add seasonal decor elements to the house, but I'm not into large scale, overtly 'holiday' themed merchandise (the kind that lights up and blares a song at you when you walk past, and is more reminiscent of a trip to Chuck E Cheese than anything else). I also don't want to spend a bundle on things that are on display for a few weeks out of the year. 

My 6 year old shares his mother's home decor genes, and loves to accompany me to Pier 1, Michael's and my other top stops for choosing (tasteful, budget-friendly) seasonal items. A few new candles in subtle fall scents set the mood (I love this one from Pier 1), and swapping my summer silver and white vases for some deeper, golden tones is a nice start. Sunflowers are an amazing and local choice for me, and another convenient excuse to hit the farm stand on my lunch jog with Wells. Adding a throw pillow cover in fall hues is simple and wallet-friendly, and easy enough to do in one main living space.

And there is no such thing as too much pumpkin!

5 (ish) Ingredient Crock Pot Meals

I grew up in an Italian home (my dad being Italian only by marriage to mom at a young age, where her family influenced his ways before true adulthood). Food was always a production, weekend meals would be cooked all day (by my dad!) and a grilled cheese cooked on the stove top (with butter and real cheese) fixed everything from a cold to a breakup. My In-Laws don't cook. They love good food, but preparing, chopping, cutting, heating, it's just not their thing. And rather than see them eat prepared dinners from the market when I'm not making our weekly Sunday dinners, I sent them some of my super easy, no cooking involved recipes (and a link to a new crock pot. This one is about $30 from target). Genetic high-cholesterol is also an issue for my family and many others, so I generally lean toward vegetable heavy, lean meat options using whole foods when possible and minimal 'processed' ingredients. Several friends have also asked me to send meal ideas their way, so I'm going to start sharing my top 5 (ish) ingredient or less crock pot meals where you can literally throw it in, and press 'on'.

Crock Pot Puttanesca

you'll need:

• 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts (get a natural kind, no hormones, etc)
• 1 jar strained plum tomatoes or low sodium/low sugar pasta sauce (I like to make my own but this version is supposed to be for the cooking adverse)
• 1/2 cup diced organic olives
• 1/3 cup capers
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp minced garlic

Put it all into the crock, heat on low for 7 hours. Take out the chicken and shred it with utensils or your hands, put it back and stir it around and you're done. If you're not watching your waistline try it over pasta, or add the leftovers on top of mixed greens for lunch the next day.