CHAMBRAY & POLKA DOTS


LET'S TALK OLD NAVY
The Old Navy store is hit or miss for me. I used to like it more when tho boys were younger as they has the cutest little boys clothes at great prices. Over the years I have usually gotten basics there like tanks, khaki's, fold over knit skirts, etc. Lately however, I am liking what they have for the ladies. Check out this versatile field jacket. They have a couple other colors but I liked the Chambray for Spring. And I love these Polka dot red ankle pants. So comfy, good quality and adds a little nautical to my wardrobe.
I made this outfit casual with the Keds and dressier with the calf hair leopard pumps, which are my favorite shoe in my closet!!



Chambray Field Jacket HERE
Red Dot Pixie Pants HERE
Keds Similar HERE
Calf Hair Leopard Pumps Similar HERE





Lots more Pixie Pants Options Here

Also, Loving Jumpsuits again. Here are two really cute sleeveless ones from Old Navy

Jumpsuits HERE


Go over to Old Navy and see what you think. Often, they have nice percentages off online too and I like how you can get clothing there for the whole family!

xoxo
"I don't think there is ever a wrong time for a polka dot."
~Marc Jacobs



BEST BEEF AND BROCCOLI


Hello, here's to the start of a great week! 
If you're like me sometimes you run into a "What to fix for dinner?" rut. On weeks like that, it seems like I stop by the grocery store way too often to grab this or that because of the recipe ideas that pop in my head. Here is an Amazing Beef and Broccoli recipe that is really easy and quick. I have tried many Beef and Broccoli recipes and this one is by far, the favorite.
Linking Up with The Weekend Potluck


THE BEST BEEF AND BROCCOLI

Sauce:
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp low-sodium chicken broth
5 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 tsp cornstarch

Beef and Broccoli:
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 1/2 pounds sirloin round steak cut into 1/8 inch pieces
6 cups bite-sized pieces of Broccoli
2 Tbsp minced garlic
½ tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp canola, plus extra for cooking
1/3 cup water

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine beef and soy sauce. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour. Meanwhile, whisk the sauce ingredients together in a liquid measure or small bowl. In another small bowl, combine garlic, ginger, and 1 canola oil. Set aside.

2.  Heat 1-2 teaspoons canola oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add half of beef to skillet and break up clumps; cook, without stirring, for 1 minute, then stir and cook until beef is browned around edges and cooked through, about 1-2 minutes. Don’t overcook the meat – cook until just barely cooked through so the meat stays tender. Transfer beef to a medium bowl and cover with tin foil. Heat another 1-2 teaspoons canola oil in the skillet and repeat with remaining beef.

3.  Add 1 tablespoon canola oil to now-empty skillet; heat unti hot. Add broccoli and cook 30 seconds; add water, cover pan, and lower heat to medium. Steam broccoli until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Push the broccoli to the sides of the skillet and add the garlic/ginger mixture. Cook about 15-30 seconds. Stir the mixture into the broccoli. Add the beef back to skillet and toss to combine. Whisk the sauce to recombine and add to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened and evenly distributed, about 1-2 minutes. Serve with rice. (We prefer brown) Enjoy!


xoxo

"I do not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli."

FAVORITE HANDS AND FEET PRODUCTS



Happy Friday Sweet Peas!!
Has this winter been hard in your hands and feet?
I know mine get dry and I really like to have pretty hands and feet.
Do treat yourself to a pedicure now and then.
In the meantime, I take pride in my own little at home tricks and tips for pretty, nice and soft hands and feet!
Here are some of my favorites. Try em' and see what you think.

DEEP STEEP FOOT POLISH

I love this stuff so much! The pepperminty scent is intoxicating! My sister-in-law got it for me for Christmas and I was hooked immediately. I put a little on a washcloth in the shower and scrub my feet and lower legs. it exfoliate and smooths so well. They also have a foot cream you can follow with.
BUY HERE


MARY KAY SATIN HANDS KIT
This was a Christmas gift and is the Pomegranate scent. so refreshing. i has forgotten how wonderful it is. you prime dry hands with a pre-cream, then rub the scrub into hands and rub together for about a minute, rinse, dry, then finish with the hand cream. Such a treat! like a hand spa at home!


GOLD BOND HEALING FOOT THERAPY CREAM 


Before bed each night, I put on the Gold Bond Ultimate Healing foot cream. It works so good. It's in about ever drugstore and is just a simple, very moisturizing foot cream.



JOSIE MARAN WHIPPED ARGAN OIL HAND CREAM

 My mom first introduced me to Josie Maran products and they are wonderful. Josie has turned on a lot of people to the benefits of Argan oil. I first used the Apricot Vanilla Body cream and it is truly luxurious and moisturizing. I did not know she made the hand cream in the same scent too until my mom got me some as a gift. Oh boy, same love!! My hands never got dry this past winter after using this!
 BUY HERE


BATHERY LOOFAH
Oh Loofah love! I first bought this at target a few years ago for a beach vacation. While I do use it on my body, it is wonderful for the feet. I use some of the foot polish mentioned above and Loofah them to softness!

 CALLOUS REMOVER PEDICURE FOOT FILE
I love this thing!! When I feel a little callous start to form on the side of my feet below the big toe, I file away and lather on some foot cream. There is a file for smoothing on the other side as well.
Buy HERE

Here's to hands and feet readiness for the sweet summertime!!

xoxo
"Power and Speed be hands and feet."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

ONLY.....SO LONELY


"Her name is Heather and she is my new baby sister", I announced to my first grade classmates.

But the truth was I didn't have a baby sister, a lie that was humiliatingly revealed when my mom showed up for parent teacher conferences the next evening.

Mrs. Sullivan, noticing my mother's flat stomach, threw mom for a loop when she said, "I'm surprised you're out and about already." "Huh", my mom replied. "But didn't you just have a baby? Andrea announced to the class she has a new baby sister!"
 
First Grade Photo

If only....
My mother was shocked despite Mrs. Sullivan assuring her that kids make up stuff like that all the time.

The truth was, even at the young age of seven, I desperately wanted sister, or even a brother for that matter.


I was an only child. While very much loved and cherished, still I was alone. To this day, I wished baby Heather had been real.

My parents have known, since my desperate attempt at an expanded family, that I wanted a sibling. It simply wasn't in the cards for my parents. Yet, I still tried. To my mom I would ask; "Are you sure you didn't give up a baby for adoption?" To my dad; "Are you sure no one is going to show up on our doorstep and call you Dad?"

My sweet mom when asked why she only had one child will say, "Well, when you get it perfect the first time, why try again?" Plus she makes it known when the stereotypical "only children are spoiled" topic comes up, that I was definitely NOT a spoiled brat. Yes, they only had one to buy for and devote time to, but it was done so with lessons of giving and compassion.  Genuine "Thank You's" were taught to me very early and to this day, I'd rather be the giver. For the things I do receive, I am grateful and have never once felt entitled .

While growing up, no one can deny the advantages of being an only child. My own room decorated the way I want, my parents undivided attention and a doggie I didn't have to share. Yet, I couldn't help but ache a little when witnessing my friends and their sibling camaraderie or their shared family memories.

The only child life didn't bother me as much in high school and college. Friends, dating and activities kept me busy. I'd become attached to a best friend like a sister. It was when that chapter of my life started to fade that the yearning for a sibling grew stronger.



Who's to say as an adult, I would even share a close bond with a sibling? However I do see friends bond deeper with their siblings over life experiences and I think about the future. I fell guilt because I worry about my parents own loneliness.

While I may not have a sibling bond, what I do have is an amazingly close relationship with my mother. She is my closest confidant, my partner in crime, my dearest friend and her concentrated love lifts me up. People even ask us if we are sisters. If only we were, I think, because then the inevitable might not be so bad if I knew I had fifty more years with her.


As I age into mid-life, the idea of facing my parents mortality alone is frightening. I think the cruelest is that when your parents die, you have no one left to share your childhood memories with, no one to say "Remember the last Christmas you believed in Santa?" Or "Remember making snow ice cream?" There's no one left to remember.....only you.............

My first Christmas 1971, Aren't my parents gorgeous!!
I am an only child but this factor does not define me. I'm blessed with a healthy mother and father whom I am close to, blessed with a husband and children who we create memories with. My parents taught me to be thoughtful, considerate, organized, and loyal. My sense and duty and responsibility to my parents runs deep.

While I'll always wish baby Heather was real, and at times feel like a lonely-only, I'll focus on what I do have and be ever so grateful for that!!

xoxo
"When so many are lonely as seem to be lonely, it would be inexcusably selfish to be lonely alone."
~TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
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