Ipad Mini Give Away And Bedtime With Sarah Sullivan Bedtime Challenge!

We have been reading the cutest new book before bed. Bedtime for Sarah Sullivan. 

"Wearing a sparkly "S" crown, she is Super! Silly! and Sweet! Bedtime for Sarah Sullivan is about the magical hour that happens every night at bedtime, when kids "try" to go to sleep. Readers are invited to travel with Sarah through the wonders of her imagination as she learns what it is like to create her own dreams. Ultimately landing on the moon, Sarah learns that anything is possible, as long as you believe."

The Bedtime for Sarah Sullivan App is now available in the Amazon App Store for Kindle. I love the way it looks on this device! Get it HERE.

I don't know about you but bedtime at my house is sometimes chaotic. That's the truth. And sometimes nightmares or other drama gets the best of the kids. After reading "Bedtime For Sarah Sullivan" and talking to the author Kelly Paniagua,  we came up with a brilliant idea:

THE BEDTIME CHALLENGE!

For the next two weeks take 10 minutes (30 minutes would be even better!) to read the book, use the app (on kindle or ipad) and set a positive intention before the kids go to bed.

"Travel with Sarah through the wonders of her imagination as she learns what it’s like to create her own dreams. Ultimately landing on the moon, Sarah learns that anything is possible, as long as you believe. Through the app, children get to immerse themselves fully in the adventure through voiceover, narration and object/character animation."

Take this and be creative! Let your kids create their dreams:) Mom's feel free to take the challenge too. Instead of worrying before bed try creating a positive dream! What a concept!

To FURTHER INSPIRE YOU... WE ARE GIVING AWAY AN IPAD MINI! That way you can use your new Bedtime for Sarah Silverman APP! See below to enter. Lots of ways to up your chances by following a few steps!

Extra entries for Tweeting or FB posts and sharing the give away. Use HASHTAGS: #BedtimeChallenge and #BedtimeWithSarahSullivan  and #SuperSarahKids


Good luck and let me know how the challenge goes!



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Wordless Wednesday! Bonanos Sale!!

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Wordless Wednesday- The Getty Museum

Eat, Pray, Love, Mid Life Crisis?

I know it's going to happen. People are going to see Eat, Pray, Love and there will be a major mid life crisis epidemic. After all a lot of us think they should be, or could have been, living another life. Something more exciting, passionate, and adventurous. For some people living in California or Los Angeles for that matter, is a dream life. Sun, beach, movie stars, it's all here, but you better have thick skin because the entertainment business is no joke.

It was my dream to live and work in California, like Carol Burnett. I dropped everything and move out here. I left family, friends and a boyfriend behind and came out to LA knowing no one! Looking back it seems so brave. I was terrified but it didn't stop me. The other option was to not ever try to live my dream.

My dreams have changed over the years, simplified a little. When you have kids you tend to focus on their happiness more than your own.  Lately though, after turning 40, I have been dreaming more. I think a lot of people are looking for more after forty.


Don't get me wrong, I will be lined up to see Eat, Pray Love. I loved the book. I understood Elizabeth Gilberts wanting more, feeling trapped, and needing adventure! Sometimes I wonder about living doing somewhere else, doing something else. Would I be happier? Probably not!

I'm not sure we all need to go to India and Italy to find our true happiness. I know Elizabeth Gilbert needed to get away and find herself, but let's be serious, not many people have the time or money to go gallivanting all over the world.

I have one simple way I solve this. I try to bring the excitement, the adventure, into my own life in big and small ways.

Here are just a few:

I rearrange my living room and den every few months. 
I drive home different ways to find new places.
I find new cool restaurants to try.
I have friends over and try new and exciting new table scape's and menus.
I arrange girls nights with different groups of women and try to connect people.
I grow my hair long and then cut it short.
I stay open to living in other places, making new friends, and joining new groups.
I take day trips on the weekends with the family.
I take on new projects, even if it's outside my comfort zone!


Let's face it life can feel dull and monotonous, especially when you are running a household and raising kids. You need to keep it fun and interesting!

Tahoe! Having So Much Fun! Hate To Leave!

Eating brats, ribs, cole slaw, greek salad, burgers, and tomorrow night a bushel of crabs flown in from Maryland! We are living it up in Tahoe. We come every year with The Mr.'s oldest and dearest friends.

So much fun on this trip because now there are so many couples with kids, and babysitters come every day to play! They eat at the kids table, take bath's together, and then line up for movies every night! Heaven! I think Landon wishes he was from a family of seven!! LOL

And Coco and her young friend Jackson have really hit it off...

Best of all we have kayaked, waterskied, and had wonderful adventures with Landon and Coco. So fun to see them both so happy and relaxed like their parents!

It's so gorgeous! Can't wait to come back next year!
PS
Happy Birthday little brother Wakey and sister Nina!!!

Day Trip! San Marino, CA and Ladybird Lilly Pulitzer Store!

I made a pilgrimage to mecca (AKA Lilly Pulitzers newest store in California) Ladybird! Notice the SALE sign! 50% off!

 San Marino is the perfect preppy place for a Lilly Pulitzer store.

Cute stores like: Lemon Hill, everything in there was fabulous but I wanted this lamp!

Then you can have lunch a Julienne, such a gorgeous restaurant with a gourmet shop attached!

But back to the real reason for the trip... Ladybird!

Cute Angelica was there to greet me. We were instant friends, and she showed me around the store and most importantly to the sale rack where I found these beauties! How cute are these shorts!

But what I really wanted was the dress Beth Dunn had on when she came to see me! I want that Sullivan dress in Nautical size medium please!!!! Also died over these flasks!

I made a cute preppy friend while I was shopping. Can I be her when I grow up?

Such a fabulous day and I cannot wait to go back. Hopefully next time with oodles of money!

Sanity Break- Down On The Farm!

We took the kids to Underwood Farms last weekend, and an amazing thing happened. It was relaxing! Something about the wide open spaces, gorgeous fruits and vegetables, and fabulous weather just made it all so nice! We took a ride on the cow train, fed llamas, goats, sheep and pigs, and showed Landon that food can actually grow in the ground! There was strawberry picking and blackberry picking, it was a magical place.

I think Coco had fun. What do you think? Have you been to a working farm before? Or do you live on one? Do tell!

Sanity Break- The Mini Vacation

Balboa Island in California is a mini vacation for the Mr. and I. We love the pretty houses, quaint little main street and shops. This would be the perfect place to rent for the summer. You have to take a ferry to get on the island, Landon thought it was his first time (he can't remember the first!), and he loved it.


We strolled along, and Landon even took Coco's hand to walk with her. They are too cute!

The houses there are just the cutest things. I dream of owning one!

We had a lovely day and even put our feet in the sand and ocean. Everyone needs a mini vacation now and again. Where's your mini vacation spot? Something close by or even in your back yard! I'd love to hear!

Anniversary Dinner At Home- Stay-versary!

You know the "stay-cation", well because the Mr. and I are tightening our belts financially, we decided to do our anniversary dinner at home. You know what? It was DIVINE!



I set the table outside by the pool in a beachy theme. I used a white linen table cloth, glass stemware and wine bucket. The menu was lobster, asparagus, and new potatoes. Godmother Anne taught me that Savingnon Blanc goes with lobster way better than my beloved Pinot Grigio, so we had that. We also had a bottle of champagne given to us by friends at our decadence dinner, a gorgeous bottle of Perrier Jouet. We dined, talked about what we have learned over the past seven years, and what we want for the next seven!


I had this quote written in his card:

"Marriage partners are to serve each other. Elevate, help, teach, strengthen each other, but above all, serve. Raise their children honorably, lovingly and with detachment. A child is a guest in the house, to be loved and respected - never possessed, since he belongs to God. How wonderful, how sane, how beautifully difficult, and therefore true."


JD Sallinger

Happy Anniversary!

To Forty- And Beyond!

Forgive my Toy Story reference, but you know I have two young ones in the house!! What a week, month, and year it has been. I am officially forty. The Mr and I enjoyed a dinner out, just the two of us at one of our favorite restaurants (Godmothers too) Ortolan. They are running a little price fix special just in time for my birthday! Had to head over!!!


Ortolan is decadent!!! Here was our menu!

First Course Choice of:

 Tomato Coulis
Yogurt Sorbet / Confit Tomato Tartare
~
Marinated Salmon
Lemongrass Sorbet / Ginger / Ponzu
~
Seared Scallop
English Pea Coulis / Lentil Gnocchi / Parmesan Emulsion 

Second Course Choice of:

Braised Short Ribs
 Risotto with Spring Vegetables
~
Lobster Spaghetti
Beef Jus / White Asparagus Cream
~
 Potato Ravioli
Morel Mushroom / Fava Beans / Scallion

Third Course Choice of:

Vanilla Honey Panna Cotta
“Strawberry Caviar”
~
Chocolate Ganache
 Brownies / Chocolate Sorbet
~
 Lemon Tart
Tangerine Sorbet / Citrus Supreme

The first thing though was an amuse bouche sent by the chef. It was soup, served in test tubes with straws!!! One was carrot soup with a ginger foam, and the other an asparagus soup with I cannot remember what but it was good!! We also had eggplant caviar!

A fabulous evening!!!!

Sanity Break! Lilly Pulitzer Store Visit!

I highly recommend when you are having a down moment to just trot on over to your closest Lilly Pulitzer store and try on clothes! Even better if you have a fabulous one like the Cabana store on Montana. It was there that Anne and Laura took such great care of this weary Mama!



Who could not love the Pink and Green, the chandeliers, the vacationy feel you have when you are there under the Lilly Palm Trees!

I was so happy to return my size Large "Joy Knit" tunic and get a Medium! Yahoo! Even happier when I tried on these white, incredibly soft, "Palm Beach Jeans"!! On my birthday wish list are these fabulous shoes (the McKim Wedge)!





This Illona Caftan is so fabulous I can hardly stand it. Makes me want to just move to Palm Beach and throw parties all day long!




The little baby girl section was full of cuteness for Miss Coco. I got her the "reef" bathing suit. Pink and adorable! She's ready for summer!

Palm Springs! Sanity Break!!!

Reason number 3,3445 I am the luckiest girl ever (1. married best man ever, 2. Have greatest kids, etc etc) is that sister Robyn has a fabulous house in Palm Springs that she graciously let's hubby and I use from time to time. Robyn is a decorator and makes every place she does look like a fabulous hotel.

Forgot my camera and of course no pics of the house. Gonna beg her for a few so stay tuned.

Hubby and I were so thrilled to get away, and Aunt ReRe and Uncle Sharpy babysat the kids. While Landon was going to farmers markets, sliding down giant tiger slides and eating hot dogs, we were having the best time ever.

After champagne in the Jacuzzi, we headed to The Purple Palm. It's a restaurant at the Colony Palms Hotel and it is fabulous!



Then we went to our favorite kitchy piano bar Melvins.



Best of all we did a whole bunch of nothing. No babies to feed, diapers to change, no computers. We just reconnected and relaxed. Now that's a sanity break!!!

Sanity Break- Scrapbook Night!

If you want to bring the girls together, have a scrap book, or photo album catch up night at your house. We all have gotten behind in our photos and scrapbooking...no need to feel guilty! Instead, break out the wine, pick up some deserts and have the ladies over!

Suddenly they are at your door, LL Bean bag full of albums and photos, and looking for a guilt free way to catch up!

I had two good friends come over and we shared photos, gossip, laughs and memories. It was heaven I tell you. Best of all I got Coco's first year album done! Now on to the other five I need to do!

Sanity Break-Recipe for the perfect girl date

Last week I had lunch with one of my besties Natalia. Afterwards I felt better than I had in a long time. I think it's because all the ingredients were there for the perfect day.

1) Nails done at fancy place where Britney goes.
2) Lunch out at cute Italian restaurant, dining on seafood salad, and iced tea, and sitting on the patio.
3) Shopping at my favorite clothing store and watching bestie try on cute outfits and buy.
4) Bestie introducing me to new and super cute, super fabulous gift store where I bought this charm letter necklace, one with Landons and one with Coco's initials!



What's your perfect girl day?
xo The Mrs.

***** UPdate
Necklace is by Nashelle and can be found at threelovelies.com

xoxo