Interior Designer Mary McGee

Check out her website

Lessons Learned for next Disney trip

So this past weekend my husband and I decided last minute "let's take the girls to Disney World". We live in Florida so it wasn't to far a hike. Also my sister would be at Sea World on Sunday with one of my nephews, so that was incentive enough to hop in the car and go.  We left Saturday morning got to Orlando checked into our hotel and decided to put both girls down for a nap. Now, I have a 2 1/2 year old  and 16 month old who have separate rooms at home. So when they got the chance to sleep together in the same room they laughed and talked to each other and decided they didn't want to nap.

MISTAKE #1: No Naps and going late in the day. Really late, we didn't get to Magic Kingdom until 5pm 

 Lesson Learned: Go first thing in the morning with two toddlers. 

          MISTAKE #2:  We went during SPRING BREAK. I thought I was a "people person" until I   experienced Disney World with a double stroller. Way too many people for me.
          Lesson Learned: Pick a date that might be less crowded than going during Spring Break weekend. I heard October is good or maybe a week before Christmas and maybe go on a weekday.
          MISTAKE #3:  BRING MY OWN FOOD.  Disney food is GROSS!!!
          Lesson Learned: Traveling in general can be tough to find healthy food. Usually when we take road trips I always bring a cooler filled with healthy snacks.  A friend of mine told me you are allowed to bring your own food into the park. I will definitely make sure to do this next time. Also I just found another great application for the iphone or blackberry (see below after the pictures)

                                 My girls with their cutie pie cousin at a show in Sea World

                    Waiting in line at "it's a small world" our favorite ride only ride without 1hr wait


                                 Ok so the new iphone application I found and love is

GoodFoodNearYou helps you find the best food options at the most common restaurants near you.

In one simple search, you get instant access to the menus and nutrition information for popular casual dining restaurants, fast food restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores near your location.

Make smart, fast, and healthy dining decisions, wherever you are – at work, at home or in your car, traveling on business or vacation. 












        

Roller Skates

Ever since we watched the movie "Roller Derby" I have been wanting to get some of these

and maybe my girls could wear these

Also, when did target get makeup specialist? I swear there was an angel looking over me today. I had both babies with me and decided to hit target. I got a little anxiety pulling into the parking lot thinking how am I going to put both girls into the cart. As I pulled into a great parking space I saw a cart that looked almost like a train, it was that long. But it had seating for two littles. I got so excited.

I have been searching for a new skincare regimen and as I walked by the beauty aisle in Target an angel asked if I needed help.  She was so helpful, it was awesome.  I ended getting this and I love it.

Paddleboarding

We just love paddleboarding and when the ocean looks like this we grab our board and go

Moments

 Today I am feeling a bit nostalgic and came across these

Now she is 2 1/2 years old, takes dance classes, can say her "ABC's", can count to 25, and last night after putting both girls to bed my husband and I were relaxing down stairs on our couch when we heard her singing "head, shoulder knees and toes" at the top of her voice along with a  few other songs. She makes me laugh everyday and I can't help but stare at her in disbelief that this precious little girl is my daughter, how did I get so lucky. 

Sometimes we need to take a moment to remember all the moments in our day. There are so many little blessings that we might miss.  Especially when we are in a rush. Which I feel like most of the time. Finally the other day while in the midst of my daily rush I stopped myself and thought, what am I rushing for.  

Some recent photos really recent, like last Sunday, the most beautiful day ever.  I just love March where we live. It's still cool enough to enjoy being outside. (Please excuse my daughters hair, I think we may need a haircut)

watching her crazy sister do this

watch out "DEE DEE"

Kid's Room Decor

I love finding unique and fun things for my children online.  Here are a few things that caught my eye


How cute are these bookends, I actually like these better

My girls love squirrels.  I also have been on the search for some cool wall hooks for my older daughter's bedroom and we got ourself a winner ..

With a long white mirror I bought at Marshall's and this wall hook next to the mirror should be the perfect little dress up area for my little girls. You can find all of these fun things here

Anniversary Trip Part 1

Warning: This might be a long post. ( really long,,, don't know why the spaces are so big,, sorry)

My husband and I just got back from celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary cruising up and down the California coast. Doesn't that sound amazing, and it was just that,,, AMAZING!!

We flew into LA, rented a car and drove about 40 miles to Santa Barbara. We both were craving some Mexican food and found this hole-in-the-wall dive that served THE BEST Mexican food. I am bummed I didn't take pictures of this place. But if you are ever in Santa Barbara you must go to La Super -Rica Taqueria.

Then we went and checked into the most amazing Bed in Breakfast. (am I saying amazing too much)

The Simpson House Inn was so romantic, I would highly recommend it to any of you couples out there. I wish I could have captured the scents of the gardens and brought them home with me.  It smelled like heaven. They served us gourmet vegetarian breakfast every morning on our private veranda.

When I tell you this place had the best breakfast, I am not lying.   Did you see the little menu's they gave us with our names on it. Now that is what I call excellent service. I really could get use to this kind of treatment.

We went on some great runs on the beaches

Yes, I am kind of a geek, but an active one.

   




Next we got ready for our driver to take us on a tour of some vineyards.  

Next stop was another vineyard and afterwards our driver set up a delicious picnic overlooking wine country.

Our teeth are red by this point...  
































After all this great food we ended up here later that night,

so gross, but my husband loves this place and we don't have one on the east coast.
I plan on writing a separate post on THE HIKE, because it deserves it's own post. Coming soon. 

California Love

Tomorrow this time I will be cruising, sipping, lounging, more importantly RELAXING ...ahhhh, with the BEST HUSBAND in the entire universe. I married my dream man and I thank GOD for him everyday.

California Dreaming...


Some West Coast Interior Design I am Loving....

Jill Johnson from Coastal Living

A fun table and an Escapade

I have been on the hunt for a cute toddler table my girls can both sit at.  I found this one at Genuis Jones , but really didn't want to spend that much for a kid's table. So I went searching and found this table at Target.

If you take a look at the table from Genius Jones and the one from Target they are almost identical.

 What is the difference between the two?? 
About $240.

What is the lesson learned?? 
     If you see something you like at an expensive store always check Target or Homegoods to see if they have a less expensive version.  My kids love it and so do I.

    My new nickname??
    Mrs. Frugalista


On another note,  my husband and I are about to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary.  He has surprised me with a fabulous trip to Santa Barbara. I am SO excited to get away and have been listening to "Escapade" by Janet on my iphone like everyday.  This is a much needed vacation.  Got me thinking about what to pack, maybe this






Need to bring one of these



















and maybe but praying I will not need these

and of course one of these