{Life on a Budget} Saving for Our Dream Life

Neal and I had a goal of buying a house in five years. Then we bumped it up to ten years since we also want to have more kids.  Even though we had expanded our timeline, we still liked to drive around neighborhoods and look at open houses, seeing what we could get for what price in what area.

Last weekend we were driving around and stopped by an open house on a whim. It turned out to be our dream house, right there in front of us.  Every single aspect was perfect.  The layout, the style, the fact that is was a fixer upper and we could make it into what we wanted.  Rooms for future babies and space for visiting parents.  A backyard to have barbecues in and watch the kids and Juneau run around.  A family room that was perfect for holidays and future sleepovers.  We were smitten.

The price, for our area, was actually really good.  It was $788,000.  I know for most areas of the country that is insane for a three bedroom fixer upper, but for the Bay Area, that is amazing.  The problem is, Neal and I don't have anything. We're starting at zero, or actually less than zero, since we're still paying off debt Neal got in his divorce.

We felt the sting of disappointment, and it hurt like a mother.  We both regret financial decisions we've made in the past, and are working hard to fix them.  Seeing this dream house that would have been within reach but wasn't was the exact kick in the pants we needed to refocus on our goals and get serious.

Months ago, we had hashed out a budget for when we finally move in together in April and eventually get married.  We had tightened things up, but were definitely letting ourselves be pretty comfortable. That budget was to accomplish getting a house and having another baby in five - ten years.  That is hardly getting real and trying to accomplish our dreams.

One thing I love about Neal, among many, is that he's a dreamer, like me.  And he's also a planner, like me.  When you put those two things together, you can really be unstoppable.  Neal and I decided that we are going to commit to saving $100,000 in twenty-six months, and we're going to get a house at the end of that time frame.  It means sacrifice, but we're dedicated.  It means no more clothes shopping, going out to dinner, and getting each other gifts.  It means stretching that grocery budget past what we'd probably like (hello, Kraft mac and cheese!).  Those things aren't hard to give up, though, if doing those things will get us to where we want so quickly.

I'll be posting our actual budget and expenses soon, and lots of updates on our progress.  This will be an adventure, for sure, but there's no one I'd rather do this with than Neal.  I'm excited and a little nervous!

Mostly excited. :)

Where all of the budget magic happens.  

{Color Crush} Pale Pink & Peach

It all started around Valentine's Day, when I was looking for a little something pink to wear.  So many shops had the sweetest pale pink items. Since I am a typical girl, and was jonesing on the Vday vibe, I of course loved them all.  Now, with Spring in the air, there are lots of new items in pretty pastel hues.  While the colors are pretty, I'm not much of a pastel person in general.  I do, however, love pale orange and peach colors, and happily for me, they seem to be pretty popular this season.

In keeping with current love of all things pale pink and peach, here is the color crush collection for February.

Long Time No See!

So, it's definitely been awhile!  To say things have changed in the past year and half would be a complete understatement.  Since my last post, I've gotten divorced, moved out on my own, gone back to work full time, and met the guy of my dreams. Yeah - a little different than before!  It has been one crazy, amazing, insane, fabulous ride.

I wanted to start updating the blog again for a few reasons, and hopefully these new themes will speak to some folks out there who might enjoy reading along with our family's new adventures.

It's great to be back guys!

{The World of e!} Twelve to Fourteen Months

I kinda miss doing E's monthly updates, so I thought I would start a new series and update every few months or so.  I won't write about his sleeping habits and things like that, and I'll focus more on all of his new developments and fun experiences.  Hope you enjoy!


















Knows where his head, ears, toes, and belly button are.

Can correctly identify cats, dogs, peas, cupcakes, bananas, and babies in books and magazines.

Walks across the room by himself when the mood strikes him.



















Eats pasta with peas, loves ranch dressing, and is a cookie monster.

Goes up and down stairs, gets onto and off of couches and the bed, and thinks it is the coolest thing ever to get into his rocking chair on his own and rock while he reads books.

Oh, he is obsessed with books.  His favorite is We're Going on a Bear Hunt, by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen.  He'll have us read it to him literally ten times in a row.



















This boy can rock it out like nobody's business.  He has got some moves, people.  The dancing is pretty out of control, in the most fabulous way possible.

His favorite word to say is, "woah!"  He'll say it in lots of situations, but when something startles him or he finds something especially exciting, he'll say, "woah! woah! woah!" with really big eyes. Love it.



















He gives kisses, both spontaneously and on demand.  They are open mouth, because that's how he rolls.  He gives the dog more kisses than anyone, of course.  Mike and I are kinda jealous.

He also got big boy shoes, as opposed to his Robeez. He kinda hated them at first, but he's getting used to them. We're working on it. ;)

Love you E!

{Child Style} Valentine's Day!

Oh man do they have the cutest garb for littles this Valentine's Day! I got E his threads already, and I'm so glad I don't have a little girl, because I think I would be going into debt on this holiday alone.  ;)

Here are some of my favorite looks for this February 14th.

Boys:  sweater/top/pants/shoes
Girls: dress/leggings/hair clip/shoes


I have a few cute things planned for this February 14th, and can't wait to share them in a post soon. :)

{31 Before 32} Introduction

Since it is New Year's Eve, it seems the perfect time to talk about a little tradition I have every year.  I'm not much one for resolutions, per se, but I do love setting goals for myself each year and challenging myself in little ways.  I like to focus not on the calendar year, but on the year between my birthdays.  Each year, I create a list of the things I want to do before my next birthday.  Since my next birthday I'll be 32, the list is "The 31 things to do before I turn 32" list.  Last year it was "The 30 things to do before 31" list, and so on.  I thought it would be fun to chronicle my experiences this year as I try to complete my goals, and to talk a little about each goal, why I chose it, and how I completed it.  For this first entry, I'll share my list and a little about how I came up with my list.

As you can see from the list, none of the things I want to do are in any way earth shattering.  They each have a purpose in their simplicity, however, that adds to my life.  I want to make sure I take the time to appreciate the people in my life, like my baby E, my husband, my family, and my friends.  Doing things like a supper club (#24), hosting a party (#18), and being a bridesmaid (#13) are ways to celebrate my friends and spend more time with them.  Taking a break from social media (#20), making time for date nights (#23), and going on trips (#25) are ways to spend more quality time with my family.  It is also important to me that I never get stagnant in my life, and so I like to do things like learn new skills (#9), visit new places (#3 & #4), and read lots of books (#6).  While each goal is, in itself, easy to accomplish, all together they will hopefully create a memorable year and lots of great memories.

Look for updates on my progress throughout the year!  

Here's to a great year, everyone! May you accomplish all you wish to in 2014. :)

{Mommy Style} Everything's Coming Up Poppies

For this edition of Mommy Style, I thought I would focus on all things poppies.  The bright-hued flower is kinda my "thing," as you might have been able to tell from the name of the blog.  I love poppies for their color and whimsy, and am starting to own my fair share of poppy themed items.  Here are a few which I've been wanting to add to my collection.

1.  J. Crew has my very favorite knit tees, and their new line of Artist tees comes in this vibrant shade of poppy red.  

2.  Who wouldn't want a soft, dewy, just-pinched look on their cheeks every day? With Benefit's Posie Tint, you can have just that.  It makes me look nice and fresh, even if I've just come from an early morning wake up with E.  Just a few dabs of the poppy pink serum and my cheeks are glowing and I actually look awake. Win!

3.  I'm not much of a phone person, and usually never put a case on mine.  Since Ethan loves to hold my phone, however, a case is necessary since it gets dropped more often than I'd like to admit.  This poppy wildflower case from Rifle Paper Co. is just my style, and is a case I'd shell out a little more for since it is so pretty.

4.  For all of the perfume wearers out there, Coach's Poppy fragrance is a light floral perfect for every day wear.  The fact that it comes in a super cute bottle and is pink doesn't hurt, either. 

5.  A couple of years ago Essie came out with a gorgeous and fun "Poppy-razzi" line of colors, and I love them all.  The pinks, reds, and oranges are so bright and fun, especially for toes.  Nothing perks up the winter blues like some colorful polish.

6.  When I get my bake on, this Marimekko apron will do the trick to keep my clothes clean in the kitchen.  Bring on the flour!

7.  Rainy season is upon us (although we haven't gotten too much here), and these poppy rain boots are a fun way to sweep the clouds away.

8.  Mike and I are in the middle of redecorating our powder room (pics and details coming soon!), and this white poppy vase from Anthropologie is a must for the new decor.

9.  I'm still toting a diaper bag, but when it's time to switch back to a purse, this glossy red bag from Coach's Poppy collection will do the trick nicely.  It even has little flowers on it - perfect!

I hope everyone had a great holiday.  Here's to a wonderful 2014!