Liking Lately

A combo of What's Making Me Happy This Week with a few Favorite Products thrown in...



// I saw these ring popsicle molds at Home Goods and bought them for the girls. For a second I thought I'd make my own popsicle recipe, but opted for the much more expedient bottle of mixed berry Simply Delicious juice. It takes less than a cup of juice to make a tray of 6 - it's a great small dessert. (When I had a dog I remember reading some quote by the Dog Whisperer that dogs only understand the concept of "one" - it doesn't matter if you give them a small morsel of dog biscuit or a steak - it's the unit of one that matters.)

image via

// The Chantelle Soft Stretch collection: I have several styles and they are so comfortable! (I also like the Wacoal B Fitting and Cotton Suede undies).


// Sports bra: I'm going to slowly replace all the ones I don't like that migrate to the bottom of the pile with this Zella one that is so comfortable yet supportive.


// This Eileen Fisher shirt that I'm going to wear all summer - to work, on the weekend, without fear of it getting stained, etc. Spendy but so flexible and ethically made, down to the dye. #costperwear


// Finding my favorite sunglasses - spending some solo time with Clemmie.

sidenote: I'm getting a keratin blowout in a couple of weeks because I cannot handle my natural hair texture in the summer. I leave for spin class at 5:15, home by 6:30, and either run out of time or interest before I have to go to work. Looking forward to losing a step (the ineffective blow-dry) from this routine. 


// Refried black beans, from a can, topped with pickled red onions and a spoonful of sour cream.


// Hospital cafeteria pro tip, breakfast edition:

  Step one: Ask for one (generous) scoop of breakfast potatoes with two made-to-order over-easy eggs on top.

  Step two: Ask for a sriracha packet (15 cents) from the secret stash behind the register and make your own sriracha mayo (mayo packets are free).

  Step three: Enjoy perfect eggs dabbed with sriracha mayo over crispy potato cubes. Whoever said you can't buy happiness obviously didn't have $3.85 and a thorough knowledge of the grill station.


// This chartreuse short tree/tall bush outside my spin studio. What is it? It's beautiful. I'm getting a yard consultation next week to jazz things up out there (my goals: stunning but also low maintenance) and this color/texture is my inspiration.

Chicago for a Wedding

A weekend in Chicago for a wedding. Luke picked me up from work and we took the 5:30 train from downtown...

... other than forgetting snacks, it was a restful journey. I brought a huge stack of accumulated magazines and finished the novel I've been picking up and putting down, Lunar Attractions.

We stayed with my sister and brother-in-law and she and I went to Spin class in the morning. Not just any Spin class - the bike moves laterally! #QueasyMODE

Brunch at Publican.

Wedding fun at the Blackstone Hotel, a $3.30 Uber ride from Elise's condo.

Mother's Day brunch at Duck Duck Goat which was delicious. This was heavily-spiced goat with noodles -- so good! We enjoyed some downtime too, watching John Mulaney's Netflix special and playing with Isla.

Back on the train. It was so nice to have some time as a couple - thanks, Mom and Dad, for watching the girls!

Party On Your Side

Almost as soon as we were back from Texas (or so it felt), Luke and his bandmates drove to Texas for a week of gigs.

Waving goodbye to Vanna White...

Cut to the next weekend where we had a slow morning at home

Then a visit to the gym, Target, and the library. On the way from the library we passed a car dealership with pennant flags and Clementine shouted, "PARTY ON YOUR SIDE, JOSIE!"

Needing a couple of ceramic pots, we went to nursery where, unfortunately, there was a cat. The girls petted the cat while I made my purchases and we headed to the library "wif the slide" [the Daniel Boone branch with a great kid area] and the carousel. About halfway to the carousel Josie said, "I can't see!" and I turned whipped around to see her eyes clenched shut. She could see but the cat fur caused her eyes to water and swell a bit and her nose to start running. I got her home ASAP for allergy meds and albuterol (luckily she showed no asthma symptoms.)

Before the cat. "Take a picture of us dancing!"

Clementine didn't understand why we couldn't go to the carousel so I made it up to them the next day.

Despite having ridden on many carousels, including this one, Clem balked about riding a horse. "I might not hold on strongly enough," she fretted.

That oddity was a foreshadowing of her last ballet class of the session two hours later, during which she frowned, dragged her feet, needed encouragement just to participate, etc. Later she said it was because "everyone was watching me"- during the last session parents are seated inside the room.

After ballet we drove to my parents' house for a visit. Josie had loose stools that day, unusual for her but she had no other complaints. Imagine our surprise during dinner when Josie vomited on the table. With Luke still in Texas, Josie stayed with my parents so I could work the next day. Clem and I drove back to St Louis - a weird feeling to have only one kid for the night.

Josie got better.

Luke came back.

I got the GI bug! For days! gah!


Circus Flora on Thursday night. The girls were so excited for the show. Can I have the blue drink??? Clem pleaded.

"Riding without a helmet. That's not safe." -- Clem watching the Flying Wallendas

One of the featured performers was multi-hyphenate Amy G who in addition to being a great singer and comedienne could roller skate on this tiny platform!

Taking a photo with Amy after the show.

Easter in San Antonio

I had originally planned to visit SATX in the early summer but couldn't arrange the vacation days. Even better! I thought, we'll go for Easter! remembering the great time we had at our family friends' large Easter party. (Past Easters: 2014 //  2015  // 2016 part 1 part 2 // 2017). When we made the hotel reservations I was mystified why everything was sold out or astronomically expensive... it wasn't until a week before I realized the Final Four was in San Antonio that weekend.

An afternoon flight meant time for a haircut in the morning. We cut Clem's into a darling bob that she's had before and Josie's to her shoulders... the morning hair routine was becoming more than a hassle.

(STL peeps: Kellee at the Hair Lab - she's great!)

The airport parking shuttle van has large yellow and black polka dots and Clem exclaimed, a giraffe van! And then we're in the giraffe's tummy!

While waiting in the security line Josie heard an overhead page regarding the baggage carousel: He said CAROUSEL!!! her face lighting up. (She loves the carousel).

Right now is such a wonderful time as a parent: they see magic everywhere and they have the language to express it.


Watching for our airplane.

Luke has a hard and fast rule: iPads are for the flight only. Many rounds of go fish...

After an uneventful flight, we landed in warm and sunny San Antonio, a far cry from the never-ending bleak Midwest winter.


Fearing Final Four crowds, we headed to the Cove for fish tacos and a playground break. I made a mental list of my favorite places and we made it to most of them!

Mom fail: forgot to pack pjs --> Target run. Pajamas and supplemental Easter basket goodies.  Luke went to 502 Bar to see Matt, Andres, and other friends. The girls finally fell asleep in the hotel room but it wasn't easy.

I did remember the Jellycat hippo and elephant I bought earlier as Easter presents. The Easter bunny found us in Texas! Clementine said.

With a little bit of time before the Easter party we drove around Alamo Heights and stopped in our favorite bakery. Same delicious food, same bewilderingly bad service.

Feeling feelings outside of our old house.

We drove the route Luke and girls took to school in the stroller, singing the song he made up back then:

Quick stop at Landa library...

Party time!

.

The host in his element! They throw such a great party for family and friends.

Clementine staked out a place by the piñata because "I don't want to miss it."

Vic and baby B. Not so baby anymore!

Egg toss.

Wagon nap.

Had her chance with the piñata!

Found this trumpet, played it for the rest of the trip.

Josie found a shady spot to pour over her spoils.

Easter in San Antonio means city park camp-outs. We wanted to go to this playground park but it was packed.

Remembered this one in the middle of Alamo Heights. It's so great to vacation in a place you know! We had this park almost to ourselves.

"Brave [Merida] stands like this on the mountain." - Josie

Easter dinner, including margarita flight, at Taco Garage.

Newly renovated Botanical Garden visit Monday morning.

Brunch at Rosella Cafe in the garden.

The garden now has an interactive area for children and families, the Adventure Family Garden, and it is fabulous.

Dress up theatre.

Fairy houses.

A realistic creek bed.

Another must-visit was my favorite boutique, Grove Hill. The girls played in the toy room while I tried on some tops and caught up with the saleswomen I love so much there. Kay directed us to the Pig Pen for lunch (it has a playground) but when we arrived it didn't open until three. Second choice was the Burgerfi in our old neighborhood (because it has a playground too!)

We heard about the new splash pad area at Pearl... made another quick Target run for swim stuff -->

After a brief rest at the hotel we met the Sylvias, Crawfords, and Velasquezs at La Fonda on Main (my choice - best patio!) for dinner. Clem and Josie couldn't wait to sit by Alison. I wish she was my sister said Clem wistfully.

Fun times with our favorite folks!

The Trinity.

Clem took this photos of the new loveys.

In the morning we stopped by Alamo 180 to say hello to Jeff - someone who has had such an impact on my life. That gym and its people are one of the things I miss the most about SATX.

Back in the car for more park time...


Brackenridge Park dumpster vultures! I had never seen vultures at a park before.

Strangely enough there were two attractions at Brackenridge Park - very close to our former home - that we had never visited: the train and the sunken gardens.

Cute haircut, trumpet.

Meeting up with Matt at another restaurant-playground. Such a great concept and only makes sense in warm climates!

With some time to kill we headed to the newly opened Confluence Park on the south side. There was one other family there - grandparents, mom, toddler - and we had chatted with them at La Fonda the night before! The mom is an architect at the firm that built the park and she gave us a little tour. The arches here collect rainwater into the drains below.

(Same outfits, trumpet).

The girls fell asleep in the car after the park and we parked in the shade and let them sleep before dinner.

Dinner with the Browns and the Fudges was at La Hacienda, where Luke played his very first (and very hot) gigs.

(It also has a playground.)

Of course I had to go to Central Market, my happy place.

Miss you, tomato bin.

Appreciate you now, elaborate pepper selection.

Our last day was chillier and perfect for a visit to the drive-through safari park about 30 minutes outside the city. The girls didn't remember our last visit.

And oh there was time for one more paloma, one more quesadilla. Back to La Gloria, one of the very first restaurants Luke and I went to in the summer of 2011.

We miss you, San Antonio!