Cozy Ski Lodge

What do I love about Aerin Lauder's Aspen home? The white palette mirrors the crisp snow outside.  The wood throughout adds warmth.  The spare use of accessories doesn't compete with gorgeous views.  I've never skied before, but if I could stay in a place like this I'd definitely take it up!

images via Vogue

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Snapshots of my life lately (even the ugly parts):

Grace in her too-big jeans

Yep, I know you can see the pile of laundry on the floor.  Ditto with the goldfish sprinkled on the carpet.  Thank you, Grace.

Belle is waiting around at my sister's birthday lunch.

Sophie playing with Play-Doh during dinner.

My niece Remy is so adorable!  Like a china doll.

Told you I would post the ugly.  Sophie at the beginning of a tantrum.  She wasn't very happy that I took her picture, by the way.

Here's Grace trying to copy me. 

I think she may end up very domestic, like me!

Grace's favorite hide-out.  The lambskin rug inside makes it super cozy.

Grace tantruming on the floor.  Luckily, she was just testing it out.

Haynes-Roberts

I just discovered the work of Haynes-Roberts, an NYC interior design firm. Being the slightly obsessive person I am when it comes to decluttering, I really appreciate their classic/modern/minimalist aesthetic.

all images via Haynes-Roberts

Preschool

Sophie in her preschool photo, 4 years

'Tis the Season Soon!

Are you thinking about Christmas yet? I am. I think I'm going to go with this kraft paper/red ribbon theme for my presents. I like to keep it simple.

Black Nursery

Forget the pinks and blues and the predictable-baby-name-on-the-wall. I am in love with this chic nursery.

image via ohdeedoh

Chicken Milano

I made this tonight with ingredients that I had around the house...it was delicious!  Very similar in taste to my Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato and Fennel, but it was easier to make.  I would definitely make this again.

Chicken Milano

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 1 cup chicken broth, divided 1 cup heavy cream 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken

breast halves salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 8 ounces dry fettuccini pasta

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter; add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and 3/4 cup of the chicken broth; increase to medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until the tomatoes are tender. Add the cream and bring to a boil; stirring. Simmer over medium heat until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
2.	Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm oil and saute chicken. Press on chicken occasionally with a slotted spatula. Cook for about 4 minutes per side or until the meat feels springy and is no longer pink inside. Transfer to a board; cover and keep warm. Discard the fat from the skillet.
3.	In the same skillet, over medium heat, bring 1/4 cup chicken broth to a boil; stirring the pan juices. Reduce slightly and add to the cream sauce; stir in basil and adjust seasonings to taste.
4.	Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, transfer to a bowl and toss with 3 to 4 tablespoons of the sauce.
5.	Cut each chicken breast into 2 to 3 diagonal slices. Reheat the sauce gently if needed. Transfer the pasta to serving plates; top with chicken and coat with the cream sauce; serve.

Reward Chart

We've been going through some trying times with Sophie lately.  Who once was our little princess, attentive, focused, polite...has turned into a Jekyll/Hyde creature who can be distracted, picky, emotional and selfish.  We've been trying one thing after another, trying to keep it positive, and trying not to scar her for life with our obvious inexperience.  A friend of mine has recommended using a star chart and as luck would have it, Small for Big recently posted a free downloadable reward chart on her site.  I'm going to give it a try starting this weekend and see how it goes...

image and reward chart via Small for Big

A prayer for moms

I ran across this prayer on one of my favorite blogs this morning...no truer words have ever been written for me. My singular daily mission is to fulfill this...

image via Oak Ridge Revival

Quality Time

It goes without saying that my favorite times of the day are when my kids are asleep (yes, I admit it!), but my second-favorite times are when I'm alone with either Sophie or Grace and there are no TVs, no gadgets, no running around on errands, no cleaning the house or making them food---just me and one of my girls spending quiet, quality time together.  I enjoyed one of those fleeting moments today.

Skip to my lou

When my sister and I were very young, my thrifty mom would scour garage sales and come home with records and toys for us.  We may have been poor, but we felt rich with the few things we had.  One of the best things that my mom bought for us was an old LP called Disney's Children's Favorites.  I spent countless hours listening to songs such as "On Top of Old Smokey" and "Skip to My Lou" over and over again.  I recently found the LP on sale on ebay, and I'm on a mission to get this music for my girls.  Unfortunately, I don't have a record player anymore...anyone know how I can convert an LP to digital music?