Dating While Married

Once you have kids its nearly impossible to date your husband and keep that same fire alive but I think it's still totally necessary.  I am the first to admit that we have lots of room to improve in this area but keeping your marriage healthy will only make you better parents.  I think a husband and wife need alone time and time to reconnect without the focus being the children.  If you only focus on the kids and grow farther apart from your spouse what good is that for your kids?
Dating while married becomes hard because spontaneity is out the window.  You can't say at 6 pm, "Want to go out to dinner just the two of us?"  You also can't escape for a weekend away or lay in bed all morning on a Saturday.  Since so many options are out the window once you have kids you have to find other ways to connect with your spouse.  My husband and I have said several times in the past we are going to make time for date nights but it doesn't happen too often.  I think if you don't commit to it and actually schedule it into your calendar it won't happen.  We are now picking one night a month to put date night on the calendar.  We also are going to schedule a group date on the calendar.
We also just returned from a bit of a stay-cation.  We're stayed at a hotel about 30 minutes away for one night and left the girls with family.  It was close enough that we could go for one night and it's also reasonably priced because it's not a fancy destination.  Getting away even for one night a couple of times a year really re-energizes us.  Of course we totally talked about the kids while we were gone but the conversation didn't revolve around, "Eat over your plate, cover your mouth, don't talk with your mouth full, etc."  It was way more adult centered!
Another way to date your spouse is utilizing the time once the kids go to bed to do something together.  How often do we put the kids to bed and then go about our own business or basically start getting ready for bed???  This is one of the reasons we've always had an early bed time for our kids so that we can have a little adult time without having to go straight to bed ourselves.  Use that time to watch your favorite tv show or play a board game (I wish my husband would like this as much as I do).  It's so easy to get caught up in the 2016 way of life.... Sometimes we put the kids down and 10 minutes later I look up and we're both on the couch looking at our phones.  HELLO!!!! We're two feet apart and aren't speaking to each other.  It's definitely not because we are mad at each other but just get caught up in the current way of life.  Join me in putting a stop to that!
Bring back the date night and dating your spouse.

Here are a few ideas for date nights:
1. The obvious Dinner & Movie
2. Gun Range
3. Breakout Room-We have a new place in Fresno that I'm dying to try.  You are locked in a room for 60 minutes and left with clues to try and break out.
4. Miniature Golf
5. Adult Trampoline Night (Fresnans-Skywalk)
6. Go Cart Racing (Fresnans- MB2)
7. Farmer's Market
8. Drive In Movie
9. Game Night at home
10. Give each other massages
11. Rent a movie and pig out on junk food
12. Look through old pictures together (I know your guy won't want to do this too often but once a year I bet he would enjoy it.)


For the the date nights out here is some inspiration for you:


As you know I totally believe in dressing up for the occasion and dressing up for your spouse.  This look adds just enough sex appeal with the cold shoulder and stiletto heels.  But since it's a flowy shirt and jeans it's still comfortable and easy to wear.









This clutch is Vintage.  It was my grandmother's and I was so lucky to have it handed down to me.
How do you keep the fire alive in your marriage? What are your ideas for date nights, in or out?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!

It's All in the Details- Tech Style and Protection

Anyone else attached to their phone like I am?!?!  Between Real Estate, Blogging and Social Media I think it's glued to my finger tips.  Since it's always by my side it's like an accessory.  Who's with me that it's all in the details?  All my accessories need to be on point so my phone is no exception.  I love my newest case from Speck Products; it's glitter which gets my giddy! 
You don't have to exchange style for quality.  Speck iPhone Products are military grade-drop protection, patented one-piece multi-layer design, patented raised bezel screen protection, precision-engineered slim fit, perimeter port and camera protection, lab-tested durability, resists UV yellowing, and responsive button protection.  I am known to drop my phone almost once a day so having a phone that feels like an accessory but also keeps it protected is a total win.  Of course I love the durability of my Speck case but I also love how light and slim it is.  I've had a phone case before that kept my phone safe but it made it so big and bulky.  It also wasn't very cute so when I found Speck I fell in love.
Check out Speck for your next phone case.




Did anyone else see that post?!?!?!




Speck phone case given in exchange for this review.  As always are opinions are my own and completely honest.

Stretching the Wardrobe-From Summer to Fall

This post originally appeared on XO Kerry.  I was so excited to be featured on her blog.  You can check out her post HERE.

With school back in session I'm thinking of fall.  I know it's right around the corner even though I'm not quite ready for it.  Even so I'm starting to prepare my wardrobe for the changing seasons.  I try to stretch the wardrobe which stretches the budget and for those of you that know me, you know I'm a penny pincher.  I love staple pieces that can transition from one season to the next.  I think simple and basic pieces are great for transitioning.  It's the accessories that not only add style but also change with the seasons.





I'm loving this simple LBD.  During the hot summer days it's light and cool.  Although its simple, it has enough detail to make it unique.
I'm able to wear it with wedges to run around town, flats when I'm chasing my girls around, and black pumps when I need to work.
And no look would be complete without my sunnies and arm candy.





Fall days in Fresno can be beautiful and still slightly warm.  So adding a light scarf, over-the-knee boots, and a floppy felt hat make it perfect for the crisper days.
















Friday Favorites 8/26

Another week has come and gone and it's flying by! We have a few things planned for the weekend so I'm happy its Friday.

Here are my favorites of the week:

I ran to Walmart for ice cream and ended up shopping and spending $75.  One of my great finds were these boots for Madi.  I'm in love with them.  Only downfall they didn't come in Emily's size.

You can find them online HERE

Last weekend we rode our bikes to Enzo's Table for lunch and a sweet treat.  I had an over the top grilled cheese from Dusty Buns and all of us tried Sno Cafe.  I've been wanting to try them all summer and getting snow cones was on our Summer Fun Bucket List.  I'm so glad we finally got to try them.  They create a New Orleans style "Snoball" and hand-make and mix their own flavors.
The girls shared a Frozen Elsa Berry, Kevin had a 50-50 creamsicle and I had a Piña Colada.  They were totally heavenly!


Getting a review from a happy client is an awesome feeling!  I love working with people and helping them find their dream home.



This week I was a guest contributor on XO Kerry Blog and featured on her IG. 


You can see the post HERE.  Thank you so much Kerry for featuring me!!!


Madi and I had a little bit of time to kill before picking up sissy from school so we spent some time at the park.  Love getting to spend one on one time with my girls.



I was so EXCITED when Ooh La La asked me and my dear friend Rema of Jewelry and Jeans to host a Style Series twice a month at one of their stores.  This last week we looked for Date Night Looks but have fun things in the works like Fall Fashion, Holiday Dresses and more.
Follow along on @iloveoohlala





This was one of the looks I tried on.  The lace crop top and these DL black skinny jeans were to die for.  This was the first time I tried on DL jeans and they fit like a glove.


I also picked up these grey booties.  Booties are one of my favorites for fall so I'm so glad I was able to snag these.

I've tried very weakly in the past to potty train Madi but she wanted nothing to do with it.  All of a sudden I felt like she was showing some interest.  This week she's been doing great.  She doesn't tell me she has to go but if I set her on there she's almost always going pee.  Before when I tried she would scream to get off the pot so this is great progress.  Every time she uses the potty we do a happy dance and she gets to put a sticker on her chart.  At the end of each row she gets a mini M&M.  At the end of the chart she will get a toy.

















Jersey Girl, Texan Heart Link Up





















Family Celebrations

Emily started TK this year and we wanted to celebrate the big day.  Our big girl loves pizza so there's no better place to get scrumptious pizza and have a family night than Pieology.  Pieology at Park Crossing was so gracious to treat us to a night of celebration.  We each got to customize a pizza to our liking.  Emily picked pepperoni, olive, and mushroom on original crust with red sauce and I got Madi the same.  Kevin got original crust with red sauce topped with pepperoni, sausage, sweet peppers, bacon, Canadian Ham, olives, and mushrooms.
Finally, I got Herb Butter, Alfredo Sauce, Mozzarella and Parmesan, Spinach, Mushroom, Chicken, Artichoke Hearts, and Pepperoni.  I tried a Pesto dipping sauce for the first time and I was shocked at how much I loved it!  It took the pizza to another level.  I also tried one of their custom salads.  You have all the same options just without the dough.  I thought this was a perfect option in addition to a pizza or even when you are feeling like something lighter.  To top the night off we had the Chocolate Chip Churro Pizza served warm.  It was the yummiest pizza dessert you can imagine.  I wasn't aware that Pieology offered something to satisfy your sweet tooth but now I know I will be asking for this again and again.


Pieology offers House-Made White, House-Made Whole Wheat, and Gluten- Free Crust.  Next step is selecting a sauce: House Red,  3-Cheese Alfredo, Herb Butter, Olive Oil, Fiery Buffalo, Pesto, or BBQ.  For cheese selections you have the choice of Mozzarella, Ricotta, Parmesan, Feta, Gorgonzola, and some locations offer Daiya Mozzarella.  For meat options, Pieology offers Pepperoni, Sausage, Meatball, Canadian Bacon, All-Natural Bacon, All-Natural Chicken, and Spicy All-Natural Chicken.  The final step is topping it off with any of the following:  Black Olives, Mushrooms, Red Onions, Green Peppers, Artichokes, Garlic, Pineapple, Jalapeños, Corn, Kalamata Olives, Fresh Cilantro, Spinach, Banana Peppers, Fresh Basil, Grape Tomatoes, and Roasted Red Peppers.  For dipping sauces or After Bakes as Pieology likes to call them: Pesto, BBQ Sauce, House Red Sauce, or Fiery Buffalo Sauce.







Emily making her selections.



Not only does Pieology offer a variety of delicious choices but their family roots have a way of coming across.  Every Pieology has an inspiration wall covered with famous quotes.  Pieology also has a strong belief in giving back to the community so they host philanthropy nights where an organization receives a portion of the proceeds sold on a given night.
Pieology came from family and their mission is to give people the freedom to choose.  They want to feed the community, nourish creativity and bring people together.  Their vision is filled with love and purpose and I can truly say I felt that come alive.




I like a restaurant just a bit more when I know that family and community is important!
For your next family night out, lunch with friends, or when you need a delicious take out meal don't forget about Pieology at Park Crossing.  They are sure to make you feel at home and send you away with a full belly and a smile on your face.





Chow down time!



My pizza with After Bakes.




We sure left with big smiles on our faces.

Our dining experience was given in exchange for this review.  As always all opinions expressed are honest and my own.