Meal Plan Monday

Happy Monday everyone!  Hope that you all had a terrific weekend...we celebrated my daughters third birthdays this past weekend, lots of presents, tons of food and great company made for a super fun weekend...but I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't exhausted!!!  Yikes, I had hoped to get this post up last night, but as you can see, I'm a bit late;)  So, let's get on to the post shall we?!?!

One thing that I like to do every Sunday morning is plan my meals for the week (Monday to Friday).  I like doing this for a number of reasons a)  You only buy what you need (cost savings) b)  You KNOW what you need to make on that particular night (no more staring in the pantry at 4pm hoping that I can pull together something nutrious for dinner!)  c)  All the ingredients will be on hand....no last minute, end of the day runs to the grocery store with three kids in tow!

Weekly Meal Planning has made a complete difference in my life and saved me time and money.  I'd like to share with you some of the meals that we will be enjoying this week.  Also, be sure to check out my Recipe Board on Pinterest...many of these recipes are from Pinterest and are now on a regular rotation in our house.

Here's what we're eating this week....

Monday:  Cilantro Lime Chicken with Rice and Asparagus
This is one of my husband's favourite dishes and is on regular rotation at our house.

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Tuesday:  Grilled Ham and Pineapple Skewers and a Green Salad
This is YUMMMMMMYYYY!!  I love grilled pineapple and this is such an easy recipe to throw together - you will not be disappointed.

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Wednesday: Black Bean, Quinoa and Lime Salad
I've mentioned before that I've been trying to eat more quinoa and even shared the link to this recipe before....I love this and it makes a TON so my husband and I get to enjoy it the next day for lunch too!  Unfortunately, the kids aren't as fond of this dish so they will be enjoying grill cheese and sweet potato fries!!

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Thursday: Tuscan Pasta with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce
I think that this may be our whole family favourite right now!!  We LOVE this dish.

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Friday: Pizza and a Movie night! 
This is a weekly tradition in our house....the grocery store by our house has a sale on their fresh store-made pizza's every Thursday, so I always pick one up after the kids go to bed to eat the next day.

So there you have it.....what we'll be eating this week!  Have you tried any of these recipes?  What did you think?  I'd love to know.

Also, don't forget to pick your book for the "Ready, Set....READ" book challenge for June!  I'm just about done mine:)

Calling all Book Worms!!

I am so exicted to announce a NEW monthly link up party that Kadie from Seven Alive and I are hosting (drum roll, please!) Behold, the  Ready, Set.......READ link up party!

On the first of each month Kadie and I are going to post the book that we are going to read for the month.  You may read the same book as us, or pick your own - it's up to you.  On the last Monday of the month we will have our link party where you can post a review of your book (was it hard to get into, could you not put it down, did you make a craft based on something by the book - we want to know about it...link it up!!!)

Also, for everyone that enters the Ready, Set....READ link party you automatically become eligible for a small giveaway:)  Sounds like fun doesn't it!  I am always on the hunt for new books to read and I can't wait to see what everyone is reading!

This month I'll be reading "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay.  There is also a movie out about this book, so once I finish the book, I'll watch that and compare.  Of course, we all know the book is always better!!! 

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I hope that you will join us for this linky party at the end of the month.  Feel free to grab a button...Happy Reading!

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Flats are a Mom's Best Friend:)

Hello Friends!!!  I hope that you all had a lovely weekend!  Ours was full of dance lessons, team photos, baseball and swimming lessons - I'm looking forward to having a bit of break when all the kids are in preschool this morning:)  With any luck, I'll be able to get some sewing done that I've been putting off for way too long - wish me luck! 

Today, I have my sister, Christine, taking the reins...if you missed her last post, you can check it out here.  Take it away Christine!

Hi again...if you're anything like me, you do not lead a lifestyle that allows you to wear heels regularly.  As much as I LOVE heels and how they make your legs look amazing or instantly add sophistication to any outfit...I don't wear them. My life tends to revolve around running errands, walking the kiddies to school, grocery shopping etc. So I thought I would feature some great shoe alternatives to heels that are still comfortable and STYLISH! So here we go....

My first pick is the Converse running shoe. Comfortable but very trendy right now. Pair with anything from jeans and a t-shirt or shorts - they are amazing!

Next would be El Naturalista shoes- not only are they comfortable but they are made in Spain- the shoe capital of the WORLD! Plus they are committed to protecting the planet’s natural resources by using natural materials and dyes, not using toxic products and materials, and practice conservation by using substances that are biodegradable and recyclable. Double bonus if you ask me. Below is a favourite of mine but check out there website for a full listing of shoes.     

And last but not least I found these babies on the Zara website and fell in LOVE.  It is a take on a ballet shoe and a flat. Would look so cute with a black skirt, a LBD, a jean skirt or destroyed boyfriend jeans....oh, the options are endless.   HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

Thanks again Christine - can't wait for your post next month;) 

And here's a little teaser for you.....be sure to come back here Friday for a very special announcement for all you readers out there...you don't want to miss it:)

Showcase Saturday - Sarah Jane Studio

Cheers to the Weekend!!!  Today, I'm sharing with you Sarah Jane Studios, who is the talented artist made the adorable illustrations in our bathroom. 

As soon as I found her shop on Etsy, I immediately fell in love with her prints and knew I had to have some!  Here's another look at some of her prints - aren't they darling!!

And, her shop also has adorable little necklaces which would be perfect for any little girl in your life! 

And these embriodery patterns are making me want to try embriodery - LOVE IT!!!

For my bathroom, I used the illustrations from a calendar that I purchased from Sarah Jane Studios, so I was lucky enough to not only use four prints for the bathroom, but I also used the remainder of the prints in the kids playroom!!  Be sure to check out Sarah Jane Studios - you won't be disappointed!

 I hope that you all have a lovely weekend!!  Play safe.

***Please note...I was not compensated for this post, I just love her artwork and wanted to share it with all of you!***

It's Time for Another Giveaway!!!

Hi again, I hope that you are all having a fabulous week!!  Want to make it even better???  Be sure to head on over to Serenity Now and enter the Jessie Street Designs giveaway! 

One lucky person will win any item of their choice from my shop....so click over to Serenity Now and learn more on how you can enter:) 

My Main Bathroom

Hey there, how are ya???  Today's post is another first for me...I'm going to take you on a little tour of our main bathroom.  This is the first room in our house that I can honestly say that I am done decorating (at least at the moment). 

Unfortunately, I don't have any before pictures...so you will just have to trust me when I say that it was in desperate need of an update!  I'm know that I've mentioned before that our house was built in the 80's and along with the absurd amount of railings in our house, we also had some funky cream, pink and purple bathroom fixtures.  So, we saved our pennies and hired a contractor to do the work for us (we know our strengths and weaknesses - a bathroom renovation would be a (HUGE) weakness for us!)  The layout stayed the same but everything was replaced....so without further adieu...welcome to our bathroom!

Even though I call this the "main" bathroom, it is really the kids bathroom and like all the bathrooms in our house, it isn't very big (which made it difficult to get any nice pictures with my very limited photography skills!) but it works for us!   We took out the vanity and mirror and replaced it with a pedestal sink, medicine cabinet and towel tower.

I made the window treatment and will be sharing a tutorial on how you can make your very own easy-peasey-even if you can't sew, you can make these-window treatments.  

This artwork is actually a calendar that I cut to fit inside these IKEA frames (I used 3M stickies to adhere them to the wall)  I love artwork that has a message and I thought that these will be great tips for my kids to keep in mind when they are getting ready to take on the world!!  Of course, since they can't read, for now the cute little illustrations will do;)

So there you have it, the first tour of one of the rooms in our house.  If you have any questions, please contact me or leave a comment below.  Thanks for joining me!

P.S. If you like the artwork, be sure to come back here Saturday for information on where to find it!!

I'll be linking up to these parties:
Freestyle Friday - Happy Hour Projects
Taylor House Thursday - The Taylor House
Seven Alive - Link it Up Thursday

Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading
A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link
A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party
House of Hepworths - Hookin' up with HoH

From this Mom....

To all of you....Happy Mother's Day!  Get pampered, be spoiled, enjoy your day - you've earned it!!

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