Spring Styles

Olive Green Top / Embroidered Top / Blush Blouse

Sandals / Hat

We have been having some gorgeous days lately, which makes me very excited for Spring! While working downtown, I am being tempted by many sales (but not giving in) everyday! Here are a few pieces that I have my eye on, hoping prices to drop a bit. Olive Green, Blush and Embroidered tops are totally my jam, also loving bold prints, simple sandals and floppy hats. Lately, Factory J.Crew and H&M are where I find myself shopping most. What styles are catching your eye lately?

Speaking of sales, here is a great tip to remember next time you are out shopping.

Have a lovely weekend!

xo,
MM

Keeping Yourself Accountable

Now that February is almost to an end, it's time to review how our 2015 resolutions are coming along! Although I have remained consistent with fitness for many years now, I "fell off the wagon" after my mom passed away and then again around the holiday season. I promised myself I would get myself into a routine again for 2015, knowing that a routine would make me successful.

The first thing I did was join the new LA Fitness in our neighborhood. I am not as self-motivated as I used to be, I wanted to take classes that I could get excited about! So far I have taken Zumba, Yoga, Spin (Dustin takes this with me), Bodyworks + Abs and Bootcamp. It makes working out so much better. Before LA Fitness I tried the Crossfit down the street (too expensive and limiting) and the Hot Yoga studio (classes were too long and at weird times). Needless to say, I have really enjoyed our new gym, its variety and location.

To help keep myself accountable, I have rounded up a few of my favorite fitness items that make working out easy and accessible. Remember, consistency is key.

1) Dog leash - Walk your dog, they need exercise as much as you do! I try to walk Mya at least 15 minutes a day during the work week. I love running with her on the weekends and am looking forward to daylight savings so I can make running a daily routine again. Dustin and I also like taking her on hikes!

2) Water bottle - Keep hydrated and throw some lemons in there for a nice refreshing taste.

3) Fitbit - Dustin calls this a glorified pedometer, but it actually makes me aware of how active/non-active I have been during the day. I can even set silent alarms on it to remind myself to get up and walk while at work.

4) Weights, Yoga Mat  and Fitness apps - Keep a yoga mat and free weights at your house and download a few fitness apps on your phone. Not having time to go to the gym anymore isn't an excuse anymore with technology these days. My favorite app is the 7-minute workout. I can run through the circuit as many times as I want, plus I can pay .99 for additional workout routines. It just doesn't get any easier than that.

5) Graze! Or snack during the day :). I received the Graze snack subscription for Christmas from Thayer, I love it! The snacks are not only delicious but perfectly proportioned. I keep the individual snack packs in my desk drawer. Snacking is better for your metabolism and keeps me from ordering a big Chipotle burrito at lunch ;).

6) Workout shoes, good ones! This makes all the difference in the world. I actually won't run if my shoes are too worn down. Chin splints? No thank you!  I know it's an investment, but if you spend money on anything, it should be a good pair of workout shoes!

xo
MM

How to

How to Choose your Wine

How to Clean your Make-Up Brushes

How to Hang a Gallery Wall

How to Entertain

How to Stock a Bar Cart

How to Personalize your Home

(click on photos to view links)

Here are some fun "how to's" around the internet, enjoy!

xo

MM

World Cancer Day

Do you read theSkimm? It's a morning newsletter that recaps happenings around the world that I love reading on the bus ride to work. That's how I found out that today is World Cancer Day. Cancer affects so many lives, everyday. I never thought it would affect my family and it did, in more ways than I ever imagined. The ups and the downs. So make sure you tell someone today that you love them and hug them just a bit tighter.

xo
MM

May God Bless and Keep you Always

Calling all Parenthood fans! Did you watch the finale on Thursday, did you cry? I am always so emotional when my favorite shows end (Friends, Gilmore Girls, The Office and Breaking Bad). But I loved Parenthood. I connected with it on so many levels. I started watching Parenthood when I took the semester off at Gonzaga. I was so sick from my Crohn's disease and wasn't able to leave the house much during treatment. Therefore, I had a lot of time on my hand and I started watching Parenthood! This show touched on almost everything that has impacted my own family over the last 6 years. Separation, graduation, cancer, death, losing jobs, marriage and fertility issues. Holy moly. Thank you Parenthood for all the laughs, tears and awkward moments (according to Dustin), this show will be deeply missed! May God bless and keep you always!

xo
MM

Weekend in Austin!

Hello and Happy Monday! I flew down to Austin, TX over the weekend to visit the lovely Simon family, indulge in Al Pastor tacos and sip on Margaritas. I am missing it already! Our trip kicked off with matching tribal print tops, hats and shoes. NO, it wasn't planned, we both had a good laugh when we saw one another at the airport!

Weekend highlights include dinner at Maudie's and discovering my new found love for their Al Pastor tacos, followed by dessert at Amy's Ice Cream (hello, Mexican Vanilla!) Venturing to P.Terry's for lunch, playing games and having dinner at the Simon household. Top that off with late night drinks at Goodnight followed by church in the morning and Superbowl party prep! Thank you for your hospitality P+M, I can't wait to come back!

xo
MM

Recipes to Make

Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili

Teriyaki Salmon Stir Fry

We are on a Buffalo Chicken kick right now, we made quesadillas this week, so perhaps pizza will be on the menu next. I love picking up whole wheat pizza dough from Trader Joe's and adding homemade toppings, yum!

What I'm Reading

I recently joined Oyster, the "Netflix for Books" app and I am already in love. The first book I read was "Still Alice" and I highly recommend it!

I really connected with the book's plot and the characters. It was easy to relate to their feelings and emotions as they watched their mom deteriorate in front of their eyes. I also loved how they became Alice's caretakers and valued her as their mother, even though she was so sick.

Julianne Moore just took home a Golden Globe for her role in the movie that comes out today (eek!)

Guest Room - Color Palette

Hello! Today kicked off with a fun, early morning spin class. As much as I hate waking up at 5:15 am, I absolutely love knowing that my workout is over and after work I can go home and relax.

I've been starting to think about our guest room lately, it needs some love and some color. I ended up putting our Threshold Seersuckle duvet on our guest bed and used our Crate + Barrel wedding gift cards to purchase a new set for our master bedroom. Right now, there is a lot of white. A perfect blank canvas.

I was inspired by my favorite new throw as a guide for the color palette in this room. I am trying to be budget friendly, so I am reusing navy blue pillows I bought last year for our living room that are no longer being used. I also used my TJ Maxx Christmas gift card (thank you, Haskins!) to purchase similar navy striped curtains.

Everything else is up in the air. I am loving the above prints from Minted and Rifle Bond Co. I think they will help tie everything together.

Well thats on my mind lately as far as design, would love your thoughts and opinions!

Beautiful Floral Arrangements

Europe Travel Essentials

The first time I went to Europe, I felt so unprepared. Think walking miles and miles in Old Navy flip flops. This time around, I am trying to learn from my previous mistakes! Here are a few things that I plan to pack for our Europe trip.

1) Light and packable clothes. Nothing that will wrinkle easily and that can be worn multiple times.

2) Comfy walking shoes. Farrah helped me select a few pairs of shoes that will be good for a lot of walking and all weather conditions.

3) Travel converters and adapters. My straightener blew week 6 during my summer in Italy. I purchased new converters and adapters along with travel appliances. I am hoping these will work this time around!

4) Longchamp bag. This bag is my go-to for all travel these days. I love how big it is, it's easy to carry-on and folds up nicely when you aren't using it.

5) Z Travel Pillow. I can't sleep on planes which is the biggest pain especially on red-eyes. When I traveled to Rome, I didn't sleep an wink on the plane over which made jet lag even worse when we arrived at 12:00 pm the next day. I am hoping this pillow helps.

6) Passport! This seems like a given, duh. However, mine was stolen a few years ago. Between my legal name change and updating addresses (I have used my mom's address for everything since I have consistently been moving) this thing took a while to get and was a huge relief to have again.

7) Lots of reading materials! I have really been wanting to read Emily Giffin's newest book and am excited to carry this around with me.

8) Scarfs. These are light to pack but can also be used as blankets on planes and bus rides. Double win!