Summer To-Do's- Update

So I've made some more progress on my Summer To-Do list.

#5- Read two books. I started the Help by Kathryn Stockett. Currently still in chapter 1, but it's a start.

#9- Take Morgan to Swim Lessons. We are signed up and ready to go starting on the 11th!

#10- Make some good Summer meals. I made some great apricot chicken sliders last night and cape cod chicken salad on Monday that I think would qualify.

There are still a few on that list that I keep trying to forget about...like painting that blue chair. We'll at least I have a few more months to get motivated.

4th of July Treats

I really want to make some of these 4th of July treats this weekend! Don't they look delicious? I think I'm off to Michael's today to get some supplies.

Super excited for the 4th. Hoping this fog decides to go away down by the beach!

Six Months!

I can't believe it has been six months since Morgan came into our family. What a great six months it has been. She is getting more fun every day and is getting such a little personality. It's crazy how quickly they grow.

Month of Meals- July

I'm not sure where the month of June went and can't believe the 4th of July is next week! More importantly, I cannot believe I now have a six month old! July's meals were a bit easier to come up with. We are out of town for a week and Drew is gone for a few days as well. Not that I don't cook for myself, but I'm happy eating a tuna salad for dinner. This month's Cooking Light had some fantastic recipes, so many of the recipes below are from the July issue.

BBQ Chicken with Creamy Buttermilk Potato Salad

Chicken Kababs with Nectarine Salsa

Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Reduction

Chicken Satay

Baked Ziti with Summer Veggies

Pork Tenderloin with Plum BBQ Sauce

Summer Lemon Vegetable Riotto

Honey Lime Enchiladas

Pork Chops with Cherry Couscous

Linguine with Two Cheese Sauce

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Morgan is so lucky to have Drew as a Dad. It has been a fun past 6 months and Drew and her are so cute together.

Just Born

Three Months

Six Months

Oh, and I think making a To Do list made me realize how much I wanted to get done. So this weekend I checked #2 and #8 off my list!

Summer To Do's

First I must admit, I'm slightly obsessed with Pinterest. If you haven't been to this website maybe you shouldn't; it gets addicting. One of the ideas I thought was too cute was this Summer To Do List.

It's from eighteen25.blogspot.com and she has a template if you would like to make your own.

Morgan is still a little young for me to start making her To Do lists but I thought it I could use it to create a list for myself. This is the first summer home and let's just say there are more than a handful of things I'd like to accomplish before Labor Day. Here's my short list:

#1 Paint the patio chair red. I painted one of the two almost two years ago....and never got around to the other.

#2 Organize linen closet. I can still open the door without anything falling out, but we are getting close to that point.

#3 Fix dresser drawer in bedroom dresser. It is Drew's drawer which is probably why I haven't been motivated to fix it sooner.

#4 Have a BBQ at San Onofre.

#5 Read two good books. I admit I'm not a reader but I do enjoy a good Summer read.

#6 Complete redecorating family room.

#7 Paint TV console.

#8 Paint wall in family room.

#9 Take Morgan to swim lessons.

#10 Make some good summer meals.

#11 Mid-week beach days.

#12 Join gym and take classes regularly.

#13 Be better at ironing.

#14 Organize Morgan's clothes by size. Like this below:

And this is just the beginning....hopefully I can check these off by the end of the Summer!

Family Room Update

Drew gave me the go-ahead for redoing our family room. I've had the same furniture since we've gotten married and am ready for an update. I had great furniture but it was all hand me downs/from craigslist and I've always wanted something of my own. I'm still on the hunt for two upholstered chairs, but the rest is has been ordered and is on its way! I picked up two leather seating cubes and the console table yesterday and I'm loving it already.

Here is the color palate I'm going with (adding a little darker grey):

I really try but I can't seem to get away with adding green to a room.

Wall color

Console table

Coffee Table

Couch that won't be ready until late August! I guess I've waiting 3 1/2 years so I can wait another couple of months.

I'm searching Etsy for some pillows and picked up a few cute accessories at Rodger's Gardens in Newport Beach. I can't wait for it to be done.

Favorite Things- Summer

Summer is technically a couple of weeks away but from what I've seen on the weather reports it sure feels like Summer in much of the country. We've had a couple of days of June gloom but overall we have had sunny days with 72 degree weather. One of the many reasons I love living in southern california. Here are a few of my favorite things for Summer:

A colorful swimsuit

J Crew Shorts

Hawaii

Frozen Yogurt (These toppings are a lot healthier than the one's I usually get)

Fresh fruit, especially from my parent's house.

Barefoot Contessa recipes. They all remind me of Summer.

Crystal Cove State Beach

Neutrogena sunscreen. It is a little more expensive but I think it is hard to beat.

Pink peonies. Trader Joe's currently has them for $6.99.

Master Bedroom

We finished our headboard a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely love it. I need to straighten out a few of the nailheads on the left hand side but overall it was an easy project that I did for about $60. I have one ugly corner in our room still. It is our computer area with cords, monitor and other stuff that tends to accumulate there. I'm trying to figure out how to make it a bit prettier.

Here are some pictures:

Wine Country

We had a fabulous time at the wedding and a relaxing stay in Wine Country. We went to a few wineries in Sonoma and Napa. If you want an all around fantastic tour, I recommend Opus One. You also get a glass of some amazing wine at the end of the tour. It was great to get away but I sure did miss my little girl. Here are a few pictures.

Opus One

Jacuzzi

Also, I made the Giada Penne with Spinach sauce pasta tonight and it was fabulous! It was a good start to a month of meals. You can find the recipe here.