On Life Lately.
I’ve had this post started in my drafts for like four weeks. Oomph!
Remember last year when my brother got engaged? The wedding is almost here! So crazy. And. I found out I was pregnant the day before the engagement and it just seems like it was all so long ago. But it FLEW. But it was forever ago. But it went so fast. Whyyyy.
So May was bridal shower month! We had one in Cleveland and one here.
I hosted her shower here and while I wish it could be all pinteresty and stuff, who has time for that? I want to have time for that but right now I have time for nothing. Which stresses me out so then I do nothing. So smart!
Anyhoo. We did a mimosa bar (with orange, grapefruit and pineapple juice), iced passion tea lemonade and some lemon/lime/cucumber/mint ice water. I made a big ass cheese board, this lemon almond roast chicken salad, a big greens salad with avocado and scallions and a champagne vinaigrette (I just made both up as I went), along with some fruit and shrimp and stuff like that.
Dessert was obviously the best and we had lots of cupcakes from Bella Christie and Lil’ Z’s and a macaron tower from Gaby et Jules. Cake for dayyyys.
Oooooh what else. We’ve been walking lots! The hills in our neighborhood are KILLER. Add a stroller and you’re done.
Zippity doo dah done. We wear cool shades. These are called Babiators. No, I am not kidding. Does anything else scream “this-is-our-first-child!” ?????
Other thangs.
I’ve been hounding my mom for a few weeks to come plant/flower shopping with me. She is the queen of flowers (annuals) and for 30 years has planted the most gorgeous (and insane) flowers. Like… we are talking serious planting. Weeks of flower planting. I mean, it’s a yearly project. HUGE.
So I had no idea what to plant where, where to get the prettiest/most economical plants (as an avid planter my mom knows allll the spots), what works in shade versus sun and all that jazz. I’m not talking herbs or veg, just flowers to pretty everything up. She helped me out and now I have lots of flowers which don’t look like lots of flowers when you stand in front my house. I’m hoping they quickly multiply. I want to be overrun by color.
Like I’ve now told you six trillion times, I also planted a bunch of herbs in pots because I can’t find a ground spot to commit to yet. Probably too many herbs in too little pots. But! They are growing like crazy. Pray I keep them alive.
We’ve cooked a lot of dinner lately. Which is a biiiig change from ordering dinner out a LOT after Max was born. I mentioned it yesterday in my favorites (and if you follow me on snap chat it’s there, like, everyday) but we’ve been making tonnnnns of fajitas. One grilling session of chicken or flank steak + lots of peppers and onions usually yields one or two fajita dinners, a fajita salad and/or a fajita nacho night.
The chip in that plate. The darn chip. It drives me MAD.
I’ve also made this chicken recipe four times in the last week+. Last night I switched up the honey mixture by adding mustard (because mustard is life) and it was fabulous.
Why do I love all the things briney? Is that genetic or something? Mustard, pickles, vinegar, olives. Give it all to me.
The chicken is ideal though. I always make a double batch. Have it for lunch and dinners with lots of greens and feta. Have it another time in different tacos or something. Throw it in pasta. Throw it on pizza!
The end.
Please note these.
Strawberry champagne jello shots. Being recreated as we speak.
And a little babe on a big bed!
Hotel Monaco opened up in Pittsburgh a few months ago. It’s dreamy.
Can my bedroom look like that?
Per normal, we’ve done tons of brunch. We’re sooooo predictable.
We had a post-bachelorette party brunch at Altius.
I’d like thirty five coffees right now please.
I can skip the biscotti. Did you know that? I don’t like biscotti at all. I think it always tastes like cardboard. Always. #notworthit
We went to Marty’s (again!) and had brunch with Rachel while she was in town. Her hair wins at life.
More coffee! Does your coffee exist if you don’t instagram it? Ew.
Last weekend we made a makeshift brunch out of donuts and tacos in the strip. Do we ever eat things other than tacos? I don’t know. I really don’t. All things go in tacos, always.
I also had dinner at Sausalido. Which was oh-so fantastic and let me just show you this huge wheel of FRIED GOUDA.
What the what? Who does that?
The spinach makes up for the all the cheese. #truth
If you’re a mom and/or very organized, do you have an app/suggestion/superpower body plugin to remembering to do all the things? GAH. I am making so many dumb mistakes and forgetting things in everyday life. A few weeks ago I even wrote “loosing” instead of “losing” in a blog post, proofread it multiples and still hit publish which is one of my biggest pet peeves. WHO AM I?
No, but really, I can make a pen+paper list, have the same list on my phone, add things to my planner, a paper calendar and an electronic calendar and STILL forget stuff. Where is my braaaain? I’m forgetting all sorts of things.
My biggest struggle is accepting the unpredictability of every day. Here’s a funny thing: every single night I still make a big to-do list for the next day. Like, yeah. Lots of stuff. Mostly work. Every.single.night. And every single night, I still think that the next day, I will be able to accomplish said things.
Ha. HAHAHAHAHA.
Every single day I do not accomplish said things. Some days I accomplish almost all, some days I accomplish two thirds of ONE thing. Yet I still make the list, still have the optimism that Hey! I.Can.Do.It.! When will I get the memo that everyday is unpredictable and I can’t plan it all? Maybe in two years? BAH.
I’m gonna go eat a taco.
58 Comments on “On Life Lately.”
You maka me hungry! I’m going to make that chicken toonite!
I was planning on ordering some babiators for the summer but how did you decide on polarized? I can’t decide and not sure if there’s a difference?
well, i think i went with polarized because i’m nuts! haha. i always just get polarized for myself (they cut the glare, my eyes are stupidly sensitive) so i just went with those. i really don’t think he NEEDS them polarized though at 6 months. ;) i think you can totally do without polarized ones!
I’ve tried every to do list app, etc. there is – I find the easiest thing is to keep ONE to do list with everything (so I don’t have to make a to do to look at another list). I also schedule things into my calendar – then I’m being realistic about when I’m doing it, how long it will take and I can check it off the list (as long as I do it!)
Good luck, girl!
several things – 1) we love our babiators! but sadly we’re in a stage where he pulls them off his face constantly…so they’re on hold for now. 2) i feel ya on the mom brain. it is the worst and has made me feel like an idiot on several occasions. right now i use a combination of google calendar, evernote (which i like bc it syncs from phone to ipad to computer and you can store pictures (of things like my pen and paper to do lists) which i also use. 3) the unpredictability is killer. hang in there mama! you’re doing great :)
Those chocolate cupcakes look amazing! The shades are adorable. There’s not much cuter than a baby with sunnies on. It’s possible I could eat mexican food every day. I’m “ok” with biscotti, because it’s like a cookie, but I definitely prefer a legit cookie (soft and a bit crunchy). I never event attempt a to-do list. I always think “you should do that” but I know better than to think I’ll keep up.
Ummm..shower looks pretty pinteresty to me! (in a good way)–rock on sister!
I was thinking the same thing!!! That cheese board is damn impressive.
You have mom-brain. It never goes away.
I have forgotten multiple birthday parties, yoga classes.. I never forgot my babies, but that’s because my kids are loud.
And I swear I was in the strip when you were there. Next time I see you,c an I go all fan girl on you?
omg please do. i was having about 80 mom meltdown moments that day, ha! that would have made me feel so much better!
If you’re going to make a to-do list that has you down because you see how many things you *didn’t* accomplish, may I also recommend at the end of the day making a list of all the awesome things you did accomplish? I started spending 60 seconds before I go to bed writing in my “accomplishments journal” and it helps put things in perspective in my crazy Type-A brain sooooooo much. So often at the end of the day I feel like “God, I didn’t get ANYTHING done” because I know there’s a huge to-do list left. But then when i sit down and write in the accomplishments journal, I’m like, hey, I did something today! which is a good feeling. :)
i love this idea and have thought about it too. thank you for the reminder!!
That cheese plate is out of control!! Amazing! Sadly I could crush a lot of it by myself :)
I just want alllll of the food, especially those coffees!! Wouldn’t it be nice if everyday went according to plan? I’m not even a mom (hopefully one day!) and I can’t even get what I want done all the time!
Funny about all the tacos… my husband, if he ever went on Chopped, would put everthing in a taco. Every time. Weird mystery meat? I can taco that! Gross veg? I can surely taco that! From apps to dessert, taco it for the win!
Thanks for representing the awesome Pittsburg food scene and giving us new restaurant ideas!
PittsburgH – ugh stupid typo!
I have officially lost my brain. It is somewhere in my uterus with the child I’m growing. And I’ve been assured I will never get it back. BUT, buying baby sunglasses will surely make everything better, right??
First of all – that baby pic with the babiators is absolutely ADORABLE!! It is contest worthy!
THAT. CHEESE. BOARD. nuff – said!
OMG. Strawberry champagne Jell-O shots? How did you make these? I must make them! It will make it totally ok to do Jell-O shots when I am clearly out of college since they are classed up a bit . :)
someone else made them, but i think they used this recipe!!
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/sparkling-champagne-and-strawberries.html
I LOVE these posts, Jessica! Go eat ALL the tacos! Okay?! <3
You are doing sooo much right, Jessica! I hope you remind yourself of that. Often!! Comparing oneself to anything, whether it be another mom, or another generation of moms, is wasted time and energy.
I went through the same things you describe and really beat myself up about what I was not doing, and how I was not going to be perceived as the ideal mom, wife, daughter, etc.
The thing is, when you are happy, so is your baby and so is all (and everyone) that is important to you. That’s makes for some pretty excellent quality of life!
As far as remembering things goes, keep one list and one calendar. Whether it be electronic or on sticky notes, do what works for you. And if something doesn’t get done on the list, we’ll then it wasn’t that thing’s day to be done. And as one of my idols, Ms Scarlet O’Hara said, “tomorrow is…another day..”
I love your blog because of what I perceive to be your authenticity. When I was your age, I was trying to live up to what I perceived magazines, my friends, my husband, other parents, and whoever thought I should be. Luckily my values stay in tack but otherwise I was miserable.
I love reading your posts because you sound happy, full of life, totally fulfilled. I wish I had had the ability to feel the same when I had a new baby. Your posts give me hope that I was not the norm, and that all new moms feel good and strong and confident.
I truly hope that is how you feel, because from where I sit, you are an inspiration!
kate!! thank you so, so, so much for this kind comment. means the world to me!
I don’t believe you don’t need more lists – I think you need sleep! There is plenty of research to support that sleep deprivation negatively impacts your working (short term) memory. I know you joke around on here about sleep a lot, but I do hope you are making an effort to get yourself – and the baby – on a sleep schedule that lets you all feel your best. Stay well!
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-deprivation-effects-on-memory
That cheese platter is everything!!!! And you are doing such a great job–stop being so hard on yourself ;)
Rest easy. The mommy brain will eventually go away. Your brain actually rewires itself so you can handle more tasks. Isn’t that cool?!
I just want to warn you that in two years your lists will look the same and you still won’t be getting it all done. I thought surely once all my boys (ages 12, 9, and 6) were in school this year I would be able to get it all done. It’s still not happening. I seem to work around the house all day and I never get caught up. Apparently this is the new state of life with children!
I wrote lists with insane amounts of work I wanted to accomplish daily after having my first baby, and they were never completed, and that gave me anxiety to have so many unfinished lists! So, this time around with baby 2 I still make lists but mostly with easy things that I know will slip my mind like “make well visit appointment” and then each day I have 1 larger task to accomplish like “package all orders ready to ship”. Once that’s done anything else is just a bonus accomplishment! It’s so much better for your ego, especially when the day takes a turn (like someone’s getting a tooth) and you realize you will have very little time to do anything!
About that chip. Why don’t you just cover it with some white nail polish? It will cover it up. Probably last for a while (ever?) and make that chip less noticable. Just an idea. Love this blog so much. Thanks for all you do. Oh! Also love that curl on the top of that darlin’ child’s head. So cute!
yessss you are brilliant! going to do that.
So, I am not the most organized in my day to day life, but I am crazy about being organized for work (and like you, I have my own business!). Asana has been a game changer for me. It’s free, and I mostly use it on the web, but it does have a phone app, and it allows you to create projects, and then sub tasks within the projects, and assign them to people, and set due dates. You can sync it with your calendar so you get a good idea of what you have coming up, and there’s a view where you can see ALL of your tasks sorted by due date.
I’m usually a pen and paper girl, but this has been so great for me – I can brain dump everything, and then not think about it again until it magically pops up in my to do list!
There’s also a setting that makes unicorns fly across the page when you check off enough tasks. Sooo…. I’m kind of surprised you don’t already use it?
I realize I sound like I am the spokesgirl for Asana but I just really like it, and thought I’d pass it along in since you basically do my meal planning for me every week! Love your blog, love your recipes! :)
i downloaded this but never used it – going to start! THANK YOU!
I love that you live in the same city as me! I saw your suggestion about Marty’s recently and went there for brunch – it was awesome! Was totally hoping to run into you there but maybe next time haha. Where are those tacos from, Casa Reyna? They look so so good and now at 9:30am I’m craving tacos!
tacos are from edgar’s! the little tent right down from casa reyna (and sooo much better, in my opinion!)
Yeah “mom brain” is real. Just be glad you have an excuse :) my daughter is 3.5 years and I work full time and I never get all be things done. Really just the potty training laundry. Thank God for America and the quick wash cycle. Biscotti is never worth it. Buttercream frosting? Always :)
I love the honey comb water dispenser. Where are they sold?
i found mine at TJMaxx! for $19.99
I love your writing! LOL! It cracks me up because I think the SAME way! PS- I think your party for totally Pin-ready! Pinterest anxiety is definitely a thing…
Mom brain, gah! I have had not one, but TWO checks returned to me in the last month… once because I somehow wrote the incorrect amount in the handwritten portion, and the other because I didn’t write ANYTHING in the handwritten portion. Apparently, once I became a mom, I lost the ability to write a check correctly. So embarrassing.
OMG how amazing are those spicy honey-brushed chicken thighs?? An absolute favorite recipe in my household. Delic.
First off, what does that coffee mug say at the very bottom. I love that graphic!
Secondly, Pinterest, shminterest! You rocked that bridal shower, with a new baby no less!
Third, you’re making me extremely hungry and jealous at the sheer variety of options available for brunch, lunch, etc. I must have that eggs benedict! Gah!
And finally, I’m sorry to reiterate what everyone else is saying, but ‘mommy brain” is here to stay. Mine are 18, 15 and 13 and it hasn’t yet returned. I think something happens when we create another living being inside of us and we never get it back.
As for the lists, here’s what is becoming increasingly obvious to me: we, as moms, have so much we need/want to do in a day and it is physically impossible for us to do it all. And that’s ok. Make the lists, do what you can, and then let yourself off the hook about not getting it ALL done. If it helps, make your list into categories – “Must get done” ie, someone/thing will suffer if you don’t get it done (think groceries, car maintenance, dr’s appts, work for a paycheck, etc), “Should get done” ie, household chores (no one is going to die if you don’t vacuum the carpet or clean the toilet) and “Want to get done” ie, that craft project or reading a book or…you get the idea. Finally, take all those things and spread them out over the week. Schedule them into your day, the Musts, the Shoulds and the Wants, so they are spread out over the week and don’t seem so overwhelming in one big To Do list. I think it was the Fly Lady who I originally discovered this from, and while I do have to remind myself of the process, it really works.
If all else fails, drink a bottle of wine. That always helps. :-)
I am hungry for tacos now!
On remembering stuff – EVERYTHING goes into my iPhone calendar with reminders. EVERYTHING. My back-up is a paper calendar on my ‘frig
On lists- yeah, I try. But often as not they just stress me out. I got a day designer which has helped with long-term goals and general planning, but some days it just bums me out. Try a revers list. Write down everything you do do in a day. I bet you’d be surprised!!!! and…
Enjoy that baby!!!!! It goes super fast. You will blink and he will be in pre-school. Really. My kids are 10 and 8 and it is crazy!!!!! You will never look back and regret the laundry that never got folded- but the quality time with your little guy you missed out on folding laundry. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
This looks so goooood!! :) That food and mimosas – yumm. I am super hungry right now. Your baby is such a cutie :)
http://nevermindnm.blogspot.com/
Oh man, the mom brain struggle is real. So real. Last month I lost my keys and finally found them two days later in the silverware drawer. Last week I lost the cheese grater for 30 minutes and finally found it in the microwave. And I am in the exact same boat as you with lists, they’re EVERYWHERE. And I’ve had the same thing on them for, oh I don’t know, months? The only thing I have found to help with (some) things is an app called Wunderlist. And it’s really only helpful for the things that both my husband and I share. Like groceries, to-do lists, errands, etc. All the other lists that are just mine are living in notebooks, iphone notes, post-its, my hand, my baby’s forehead…
PS your baby guy looks freaking adorable in those sunnies!
I have a biscotti recipe that is #soworthit.
I’m not even kidding – most of the stuff is dry and gross.
This stuff rules and my friends beg me to make it.
It’s in the Williams-Sonoma Cookies and Biscotti Cookbook from 1993 – yeah before Internet and whatnot.
People are always saying “the struggle is real” but it really, really is REAL. I’m considering getting a nanny 2 days a week for a few hours, but I am having major anxiety over it! Just so I can put some actual effort and focus into things and it just…I don’t know! I feel like I’m at a crossroads and all I want to do is lay down and take a nap at it..except I can’t. UGH.
Love the picture of your baby on the bed. I was marveling at the awesome bedroom, then realized it looked like the one we stayed in a couple of months ago on a short trip to Pgh. When you mentioned Hotel Monaco, I knew I was right!
Love that place.
Do you have the recipe for those Strawberry Champagne Jello Shots?
Those look amazing and I want to make them for a shower!
i don’t have the recipe (someone else made them) but after searching, i *think* she probably used this one, and used champagne for the ginger ale too :
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/sparkling-champagne-and-strawberries.html
I dont have kids but i feel the same as you with remembering things so i don’t think its just “mom brain”. i find i do the same thing write up lists of tons of things almost knowing it cant be done. One thing that has helped me especially for weekend planning s to take a basic excel sheet or a piece of paper that is blocked off in 1/2 hour increments and jot in things i will be doing. i try really hard to be realistic with how long things will take and i put in things like drive time. So for ex. instead of having a list of 10 things i need to do on saturday instead i start plugging things into my sheet like 8-9 workout, 9-930 drive home, 930-10 shower, etc. then i can easily tell if waht i have on my list realistically can get done in the time frame. and then i can organize like things together and make sure i think of things like drive time (which i sorta notoriously forget to think of when i’m planning errands). just a thought. i call it “realistic” planning or list making. i hope more people write what they are doing, i love organization tips from people !!!!
also, love all things taco, your shower sounds great, and baby sunglasses make me laugh !
I’d like to subscribe to Rachel’s blog but didn’t see a place to register.
So pretty the shower food table!! Totally pinterest-y by the way! I’m organising a brunch this week end, so inspiring!! Thank you! :)
That cheese board. Oh. My. Lanta.
NEED that jello shot recipe.
I use Teux Deux for my daily list. It lets you set up recurring to-dos and anything you didn’t do the previous day automatically rolls over so you don’t have to keep re-writing the same list. AND when you cross something off, a unicorn kitty dances across the screen. Because happiness…
There are two apps that I think are very good for to-do lists. A nice feature is that you can set an alarm for a task if it needs to be done at a certain time or if you just want to be reminded. They are: ERRANDS and WUNDERLIST. They are pretty similar, just a little different in appearance.
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