Is It a Boy or a Girl? Share Your News In Style With Panorama™ Prenatal Screen

It's been a while since I carried the secret of pregnancy. Typically when a woman finds out, she is the first and only one to know - if only for a brief time, before sharing the news with her partner or spouse. It can be a time of turbulent emotions too - both joy and fear coming at you. It truly is one of life's best miracles.

These days, social media has really upped the game of pregnancy and gender reveals, so when the people at Panorama™Prenatal Screen asked if I'd be willing to share my story and how times have changed in a sponsored post, I agreed. We found out the gender of both of our babies before they were born. I always knew I wanted to find out, because if I was having a girl we were going all PINK - not some mint green and yellow stuff. In they end we were blessed with two healthy boys, both of whom came home from the hospital to blue rooms, moons and stars. But we had to wait a long time to find out the gender, and even then it was luck and technician skill that gave us an answer.

I remember bringing my first ultrasound picture (before we knew the gender) to surprise my mom with our big news after we were 12 weeks along. This was WAY before pregnancy and gender reveal ideas on Pinterest! In fact, no one I knew did anything special for revealing the gender of their baby to be. Times sure have changed right?? Look at these great ideas for revealing your baby-to-be's gender on social media!

I don't even know which one of these I would choose if I had to do it all over again with today's technology! Having a baby was one of the most exciting and scary times of my life. With my second baby, I was "older" so genetic testing was recommended by my doctor.  My husband and I did the research and decided that it was better to go through with it, then not to, but it's a difficult and personal decision for any couple.

I couldn't believe it when I heard that with Panorama™ Prenatal Screen, you can get a glimpse at your baby-to-be as early as 9 weeks! Panorama is a DNA screening test that can tell pregnant parents important information about their pregnancy. Like the amniocentesis I went through for my second pregnancy, Parents can find out if their baby is at risk for having Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities. Panorama is non-invasive and highly accurate, with the lowest rate of false positives of any prenatal screening test. You can visit the Panorama website for more information.

Who needs a Panorama Test? It's very common for women to be worried about the baby's safety and have concerns about the health of their baby. I used to keep myself up at night with what ifs and worries. If you have concerns, you should talk to your healthcare professional. Some women may choose to have the non invasive prenatal test to help them decide if they want a CVS or amniocentesis. Why choose Panorama? The Panorama screening test is a non-invasive prenatal test and is safe for you and your baby. To have the test done, your doctor just draws a sample of blood from your arm.

So if I had to do it all over again today, there are so many changes, I'm not sure what I would choose. I do know I would still want to know the gender of my baby before it was born. I'm also pretty sure that I would want to do one of those fancy gender reveals.

Have you done a gender reveal?

catch you soon -
This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my very own.

Wearing Colored Jeans

Welcome back for another weekly post of real fashion tips and outfit ideas for real women, like you and me. This week, I'm bringing back my green jeans. There is not a thing wrong with blue jeans. I love them and they are a wardrobe staple, both in dark wash and faded wash. Everyone's wardrobe should also have a great fitting pair of black jeans and a nice pair of white jeans too. But we all know a continuous rotation of blue, black, white can tiresome.

The temperatures are still chilly here, even though the calendar is almost ready to flip to May. I haven't been out in short sleeves much without a cardigan or jacket, and I'm still layering to keep warm. Also, no open-toe shoes yet, which is a challenge.

I threw together some basics here in a new and fun way. The first piece is a simple pair of ankle jeans. This pair happens to be a bright kelly green, but you can achieve a similar look with your basic blue jeans, or better yet, how about a great pair of red or coral jeans?  I layered on my favorite Aventura Bienne Tank to ground the outfit with a basic white base. Since I am not much of a tank-top wearer, I topped it off with a casual denim shirt, mostly unbuttoned, loose and open.

Denim Shirt - This season from Ann Taylor

Green Jeans - BEST DEAL EVER - Ralph Lauren last year

White Tank - New this season from Aventura (I'm an Ambassador)

Leopard Sneakers - Target last year

Necklace - Tiffany

Earrings - Kate Spade

I added a lined khaki jacket to leave the house, as it was still pretty chilly when I set out. Shoes were my outfit stumbling block here, but I grabbed this pair of leopard print sneakers that I love so much. They pair great with my brown bag too.

Jacket - Ann Taylor very old (like 15 years old)

Bag - Kate Spade last year

The jacket in this post is a perfect example of why buying classic pieces gives you much more return on your money than trendy pieces. Splurge on classics and Save on trends! What are you wearing this week?

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This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for more outfit ideas and inspiration!

Menu Plan Monday - 2015 Week 18

Welcome back for another week of meal plan ideas for real families. This week's real food includes some chicken and beef. While everything we eat isn't on Whole30 (hardly), we do make choices for the best quality we can afford. We try to limit pre-packaged foods as much as possible, and avoid fillers and artificial colors and flavors.

It's not always easy to feed a family healthy, especially with picky kids in the house. All we can do is our best right? I try to look at a week's worth of what they ate and determine if they had a variety of foods by the end of the week. It's so easy to get caught up in one day's meal choices and feel like you've failed on the healthy measuring stick.

There are some great websites out there to help you plan meals that are right for your family. Taking a few minutes over the weekend to map out a plan and write a grocery list, can help you achieve your healthy eating goals a little easier.

It's another busy week around here with 4 LAX games, 4 LAX practices and 2 Baseball Games. Here's what we have planned for this week:

Monday - Homemade Chicken Fingers
Tuesday - Sausage, Tortellini and Spinach in a White Sauce (I need to share my recipe for this)
Wednesday - Grilled Flank Steak, Caesar Salad and Baked Potatoes
Thursday - Grab-and-Go Sandwiches (we will probably hit up Wawa between games and practices)
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday - Burgers (we make our own) and Dogs (all-beef with no nitrates) on the Grill, Baked Beans, Pasta Salad
Sunday - Family Dinner Out

What's for dinner at your house this week?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at I'm An Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. Check it out for even more meal planning ideas and inspiration.

Elevating a T-Shirt and Jeans

Welcome back to another week of fashion ideas and inspiration. If you're new, this is a weekly post where I share some real outfits that I've been wearing. I give you tips and tricks on shopping your own closet to re-create looks you love, that are right for your age and body-shape.

This week let's talk about the "spring uniform:" t-shirts and jeans.  It's so easy to throw on a t-shirt and jeans and go. But there are easy ways to take those simple pieces and make them look a little more pulled together and stylish. All it takes is a little rummaging through your closet.

First, picking the right style and fit jeans. For your basic needs, (errands, lunch, picking up the kids, etc) a pair of skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans in a lighter wash work great. If you want to be a little more dressed up, go for skinny jeans in a darker rinse.

Now a t-shirt. A basic white t-shirt that fits you well is always a great choice. Pair it with a spring jacket or cardigan and you're ready to go. But don't forget about all those 3/4 length sleeve t-shirts, colored t's, and print t shirts you've been keeping. I like this navy and grey striped 3/4 length sleeve t-shirt I picked up at Ann Taylor last year. I love to wear it with my white shorts and jeans as the weather gets warmer, but the other day I paired it with some faded skinny jeans.

T-Shirt - Ann Taylor (last year)

Tank - Bienne Tank from Aventura ( I'm an ambassador-FYI)

Jeans - Ann Taylor Modern Skinny (new this season)

Jacket - The Redford Jacket from Aventura

Necklace - Tiffany

Bracelets - Tiffany and Alex and Ani

It's a little gauzy for my comfort, so I slipped my new Aventura (I'm an Ambassador fyi) tank underneath for a base layer. Since I didn't have anywhere important to go, I slipped on a pair of sporty mules, my Aventrua jacket and a scarf to ward off the chill in the air.

You could easily have added more fancy shoes and a pendant necklace to take this simple outfit up a notch. So don't fall victim to sloppy jeans and t-shirts. Take a few minutes to accessorize them and bring your whole outfit to a new level.

How do you dress up your jeans and t-shirts?

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This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Be sure to check them out for even more outfit ideas and inspiration. 

 

Planting Seeds - Starting a Family Garden

It's spring, and that means people are out in their yards and gardens, enjoying the nice weather and getting their hands dirty. I'm not really a gardener. I try . . .for the last few years, I have been thwarted by a family of groundhogs. This year, we are going to try strictly patio gardening.

Thanks to Stonyfield and the folks at High Mowing Organic Seeds, we have some awesome vegetable seeds to help get our garden started this year, just in time for Earth Day. There's a lot of talk about organic these days, but why should we bother with organic seeds? According to the folks at High Mowing, organic seeds are selected from the healthiest plants growing in organic conditions. That meas they are adapted to thrive in those conditions, so if you grow or garden in organic conditions, you'll have the best results with organic seeds.

I typically don't do much when I garden. I use the soil native to my yard we don't use pesticides or other toxins on our lawn or plants. This year, I purchased some organic choice potting mix to add to my pots. We're using little peat pots and egg cartons to start our seeds.

Refer to your seed packet for best results and planting instructions, but generally you can start the seeds indoors and then transplant the seedlings outdoors. You should prepare your potting soil by mixing it with water until it's moist - but not soggy. This is a great task for kids and you can use a large mixing bowl or clean sand bucket for mixing. If you're using containers, be sure to poke small drainage holes in the bottom first (some ideas include cleaned out yogurt cups, or small plastic drinking cups).

Plant a few seed per container. After seeding, water lightly. It's important to not let the soil dry out during germination, but equally important not to over water (this is the hardest part for me). After your seedlings emerge, you can thin them to one seed per container by pinching off the unwanted plants at the base of the stem. For best results, your seedlings need about 10 hours of direct light a day.

Not familiar with High Mowing Organic Seeds? They are the nation's largest 100% certified organic seed company in the US. They also recently became the very first company in the nation to offer 100% Non-GMO Project Verified seeds. It makes me feel good to know that I am supporting family farms and helping to sustain a type of agriculture that provides a safe environment for the bees and other pollinators that produce one third of all food on earth.

Are you planning a garden this year? What types of plants will you be growing?

catch you soon -
I received seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds as part of my yo-Getter relationship with Stonyfield. 

Menu Plan Monday - 2015 Week 17

 Welcome back to another weekly menu plan post. If you're new here, this is my weekly post where I share what I plan to make my family for dinner throughout the week - real ideas for real people. Most weeks, I share some organizational and planning tips as well, and I am always interested in what YOU have to say about planning meals for your own family!

This spring, my oldest has taken on two lacrosse leagues - he loves it. What I realized last week, is that it is possible to have only 15 minutes or LESS between their return from an away game for school, and the start of league practice. That makes planning a meal REALLY challenging. To bridge the gap this week, I'm planning to grab sandwiches at our local Wawa before I pick him up. This way he can eat before practice, and Owen and I will bring ours home. (John has a business dinner so we're really set this week!)

Here's our plan - we may make some revisions along the way as Mother Nature has some rain in the forecast.

Monday - Grab and Go - only 15 minutes between 1st LAX game and 2nd LAX practice
Tuesday - BBQ Chicken, Salad and Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Wednesday- Ravioli (moved over from last week)
Thursday - Everyday Vegetable Soup (frozen from a couple months ago)
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday - Family Dinner Out
Sunday - Something on the grill, maybe burgers and dogs.

What's on your menu this week?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at I'm An Organizing Junkie. Be sure to check it out for even more menu and meal planning ideas and inspiration.

Light Layers for Spring

We are finally getting some spring weather around here . . .but truth be told, there is still a chill in the air. So while my mailbox and Pinterest feed are full of tank tops and flip flops, the weather here isn't quite cooperating. That's where the idea of layering comes into play.

Spring is a great time to layer. Not only does it give you pieces to take off if you get warm, but it's a fun way to play with color as well. And if the breeze kicks up, you can pile the layers back on. A recent addition to my layering arsenal is a tank top. Being a large-chested woman, I have never fully embraced the tank. It's not something I would ever wear on it's own, and they always seem too flimsy to even bother with. But I have recently discovered two that have changed my mind completely.

The first is a basic microfiber tank from Chico's. It comes in a wide variety of colors and is perfect under sweaters, peasants tops, anything I want a smoother line (or an extra layer) underneath.The second is the Bienne Tank from Aventura. A basic white one was part of my recent Ambassador shipment, and I'm not sure if I've taken it off. Now I was skeptical of this piece at first, it was MUCH snugger than I had anticipated. But as a first layer piece - I am in LOVE!!

Here's an easy layered outfit I styled. You probably have similar pieces already in your closet. Jeans, the Bienne Tank, a button-down shirt and sneakers. So easy, comfortable, with just an edge of style.

Jeans - Ann Taylor Modern Skinny (this season)

Tank - Bienne Tank from Aventura Clothing

Shirt - Ralph Lauren (last year)

Sneakers - Kate Spade for Keds (last year)

Necklace - Tiffany

Bracelets - Alex and Ani and Tiffany

Still worried you may be chilly? Add a great little spring jacket! Also in my recent Ambassador shipment from Aventrua Clothing, I received this adorable white cotton jacket. It's totally styled like a classic denim jacket, without the bulk and stiffness, which is perfect for a large-chest.

I loved the way this outfit came together. At first I was worried about the two sets of dots - on the shirt AND on the sneakers. But I think since they are close in scale, it works.

What are you layering on this week?

catch you soon -
I am a 2015 Aventrua Clothing Ambassador. As part of my agreement, I received a shipment of clothing to review and share with you. As always, all opinions are my very own.

This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check out what the other bloggers are sharing for even more outfit ideas and inspiration.

Menu Plan Monday - 2015 Week 16

Welcome back to another weekly meal plan. This week, I'm organizing another round of real food ideas for real people.We are in the midst of spring sports season here. This week we have 6 lacrosse practices, 3 lacrosse games, one baseball practice and one baseball game. Everything is spaced out a little this week, but I may still have to make some menu changes.

Throw into this busy mix, a kid that doesn't eat many things, and no meat unless its chicken nuggets, homemade chicken tenders or hot dogs. When I need a quick substitution, I typically turn to scrambled eggs and toast - everyone loves it, it's easy and low-mess. We're not salad eaters, we prefer breads and pasta - but I'm really trying to move away from them so much (you can't tell from the menu below!)

I guess what I'm saying is that I hear your menu planning struggles - I have them too. But each week, I come back here and try to provide some inspiration and ideas for you. This is my real plan - this is what we are really eating this week, not some stylized ideal menu that looks pretty and sounds healthy. We don't need one more place telling us our own efforts aren't good enough. Trust me - they are! 

Here's what we have on our menu for this week:

Monday - Burgers and Dogs on the Grill
Tuesday - Taco Tuesday with Guacamole and Corn ( I recently made my own Taco Seasoning and I will never go back - if I can do it, you can too!)
Wednesday - Easy Italian Chicken Bake
Thursday - Ravioli with Spinach and Olive Oil
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday - Leftover Buffet/YOYO
Sunday - Mozzarella Panini - using this recipe as a guide

What's for dinner at your house this week?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at I'm An Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. Be sure to check it out for more meal planning ideas and inspiration.

Spring Cleaning - Naturally

I may have mentioned this before, but I am not a fan of cleaning. That doesn't mean I don't like a clean house, because I most certainly do. I just don't particularly care to clean my own house when I could be reading a great book instead.

For years, I had a fabulous young woman that helped me keep my house clean. When I started working from home, and freelancing, we decided that having her come to clean, wasn't a necessary item in our household budget, and I took on the main house cleaning role again.

Being the organized person that I am, I decided on a daily cleaning schedule, much like my grandmother did when I was a little girl. On Monday, I clean the bathrooms, Tuesdays is dusting day, and so on. Every day includes tidying up and laundry. By sticking to this routine, my house is usually neat and relatively clean, should you drop by.

In the spring, I get a little more enthusiastic about clearing out the junk, cleaning the place up and brightening up everything. And I love the way a house smells when it's clean. Recently, through my essential oil journey, I found the most wonderful, non-toxic multi-purpose cleaner. I had read countless testimonies about how wonderful it was and how people used it to clean just about everything. . .from fabric to granite.

This amazing multi-purpose cleaner is the Thieves Cleaner available from Young Living. It's sold in a concentrated form, and you you can make your own spray bottles of cleaner in the strength best suited to your cleaning needs. It's very economical, as a cap full of concentrate, mixed with three cups of water, goes a long way. I feel so good about using this cleaner on my counter tops and where my kids and cat hang out. No harsh smells to irritate us, or lingering chemicals on our surfaces. And it cleans GREAT! I don't notice any difference between this and my old, chemical-filled harsh cleaners.

In fact, there are all sort of natural cleaning recipes from Young Living you can use this spring!

Photo Courtesy of Young Living

 Another way you can "clean up" your cleaning game, is by using reusable cloths (such as microfiber or old t shirts) to save on paper towel waste,  By making your own cleaning supplies, you can re-use your spray bottles and containers, cutting down on the amount of plastic bottles that are discarded too. Those are two more wins for the environment and our planet!

What's your favorite natural cleaning method or product?

catch you soon - 

A First Look at Spring from Aventura Clothing

I don't know about where you live, but Spring has not fully "sprung" here in the Philadelphia suburbs. We have had about three beautiful days, and the rest have been chilly or rainy or both. Getting dressed is becoming a daily struggle around here.

You may have seen my announcement on Facebook that I am an Aventura Clothing Ambassador for 2015. As part of that awesome relationship, I received a preview shipment of spring clothing to share with all of you. That's really cool right?  It would be even cooler if it was actually warm enough to wear some it to share with you!

I finally got my big chance on Sunday. It was sunny, and promised to be in the 60s. So I reached into my box of Aventura goodies, and pulled out a few basic pieces to mix and match with some things already in my closet. Here's what I love about the clothing from Aventura - it is comfortable, casual and classic. All of the pieces lend themselves to mixing and matching and incorporating into your current wardrobe and style. That makes getting dressed so much easier - right?

Here's what I pulled together:

Pants - Ann Taylor - Early Fall 2014

Shirt - The Mayfield Top from Aventura Clothing

Cardigan - The Kyle Wrap from Aventrua Clothing

Boots - Aerosoles (old)

Bag - Kate Spade 2014

Necklace - Ann Taylor (old)

Bracelets - Tiffany, Alex and Ani

The details that are hard to see in the photo, are the small white dot print on the ankle pants, the stitching detail on the sleeves of the Kyle Wrap and the soft drape of the top, which is made of a rayon from bamboo and modal fabric blend. I would have loved to wear my black patent open-toe sling backs, but the weather is not warm enough quite yet. In fact, I added a hot pink cashmere scarf to the outfit before I left the house!

What will your big spring color be?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for more outfit ideas and inspiration. As mentioned, I am an Aventura Clothing Ambassador and was provided clothing to share via blog posts and social media. As always, all opinions are my very own.

Menu Plan Monday - 2015 Week 15

With Spring Break and the Easter and Passover holidays in our review mirrors, it's time to get organized for Spring. Longer (and I desperately hope warmer) days are coming. Spring sports are kicking into gear and our desire to get outside will overtake that winter hibernating habit.

As the weather gets warmer, I toss aside my casserole and comfort food recipes in favor of some lighter menu ideas, using seasonal and lighter foods. This year, since both John and I are looking to shed a few winter pounds, I'm planning to incorporate more "salads" - which may simply turn into some lean grilled meat over seasonal greens, tossed with some quinoa. While I love simple meals like that, I struggle with a "sauce" or dressing idea . . .what are some of your favorites??

Here's what we have planned for this week (which includes 6 LAX practices, 2 LAX games, 1 Baseball Practice, Baseball Opening Day Parade and 1 Baseball Game):

Monday - Easter Leftovers
Tuesday - Chicken Milanese (I'm going to try working from this recipe)
Wednesday - Baked Salmon (with Dijon and bread crumbs), Green Beans and Quinoa
Thursday - This is our busiest night, so it's Meatball Sandwiches and Pasta Salad
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday - Family early dinner out
Sunday - Leftover Buffet/YOYO

What are you having for dinner this week?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at I'm An Organizing Junkie. Be sure to check it out for even more ideas and inspiration for your weekly meal planning.

Adding Pops of Color to a Casual Outfit

Welcome back to another week of real fashion ideas for real women. This week let's talk about adding pops of color to your casual wardrobe. If you're like me, your wardrobe consists mostly of neutrals, like black, white and dark denim. One great way to add some spring-like details to your wardrobe before the temperatures catch up, is with color.

I recently purchased a striped t-shirt from Ralph Lauren. It's light and floaty, perfect over a skinny tank. My favorite part of the shirt, is a band of solid black on the bottom - it gives the illusion of layering without bulk. Last week, I took this awesome striped t-shirt and paired it with my favorite pair of dark skinnies and ankle boots. Totally fine outfit, but a bit wintery feeling.

Enter my hot pink scarf and bag to the rescue. They brighten up the whole outfit.

This trick would work great with yellow (huge for Spring), coral, turquoise, or almost any color. Depending on the scale of the print, you could probably add a floral or stripped scarf too.

Do you have a signature color? What bright color are you adding to your wardrobe this spring?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for more outfit ideas and inspiration.