{SNOW! We all liked it for about a minute.}
Happy February! My very favorite month since it’s the one where we celebrate LOVE. And here are some of my very favorite things.
{one} Sperry Duck Boots.
Earlier this fall, once the weather started getting colder, I started feeling like my feet weren’t staying warm enough in my current (rubber) rain boots. Even if I wore thick socks, my feet would be freezing after being outside for a short time. So, I set out to find insulated, water-proof boots. And it didn’t take long for me to figure out why so many Pacific Northwesterners wear Sperry Duck boots. They are basically exactly what I needed: warm, water-proof, affordable, and cute enough to wear with my daily uniform. Plus, they have been life-savers in the snow! I seriously have worn them every day for the past month.
{two} Cuyana Mini Tassel Bag.
I have admired the brand Cuyana from afar for many years. Their branding is “fewer, better things” and I could not be more on board with that! And this year for my birthday, I got the Mini Tassel bag and it is LOVE. Especially after carrying a diaper bag around for so many years (which I still do when I have Daphne with me, so 95% of the time) but carrying something so small is really freeing for me. (Though don’t get me wrong, I still love a BIG tote bag too!) I couldn’t resist taking it down to San Diego with me a few weeks ago and it was absolutely perfect. It easily fit in my larger tote carry-on during traveling, but holds my (small) wallet, Kleenex, lipstick and balm, hand sanitizer, mints, etc. and has this amazing little outside pocket that is perfect for my phone. I also really love this Mini Saddle bag too, though I already have a pink cross-body which is super similar.
{three} Tough As A Mother Sweatshirt.
My uniform these days (or I guess Momiform since that’s become a thing) is jeans and a (shrunken) sweatshirt. I have been “collecting” them recently with a few to rotate thru each week, and I couldn’t resist adding this “Tough As A Mother” one that I saw in San Diego. I had seen this sweatshirt in many, many Instagram ads (it’s like they know me guys!) but it wasn’t until I saw it in person and felt just how soft it is that I knew I had to get it. This is one of those pieces that I pick up as soon as it is out of the wash! And I love the tee shirt version as well.
{four} Aesop Rinse-Free Hand Wash.
If you know me personally, you know that I always have a bottle of hand sanitizer within reach. I keep bottles all around the house for easy access as well as one in every bag I carry and in the car. I am a some-what reformed germa-phobe but cannot imagine life without hand sanitizer! I recently discovered this Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash (which is basically really fancy hand sanitizer) and I keep it in my new bag so it’s sort of a special treat since it isn’t what I use every day. I like the scent and it feels just slightly more sophisticated with the clean, modern bottle design. (And some of you now think I am absolutely out of my mind for waxing eloquent about hand sanitizer. Ha!)
{five} Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls.
My entire family LOVES Mexican food. We have at least one Mexican related dish a week (almost always Taco Tuesday) but sometimes I add in another since I know it will satisfy all bellies. I have tried this Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowl recipe twice in the past few weeks and everyone has devoured it both times. And Eloise told us it was her favorite meal ever, second only to her beloved Mac N’ Cheese* (which I also make in the Instant Pot and add broccoli and peas to) which I feel like is quite the compliment!
*If you make this recipe, these are my edits: use only half (6 oz) of the evaporated milk; use about 3.5 to 3.75 cups of water; and use curly pasta. I also add in slightly defrosted broccoli and peas.
Also, THANK YOU, truly, to everyone who has called, texted, and messaged me about Daphne’s elbow. I am feeling so supported and loved by our entire tribe. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to get a text from a friend that simply says “how are you doing?” during a time that feels slightly overwhelming.
We still have a lot of unknowns about Daphne’s current condition but her pediatric orthopedist has diagnosed her with a condition called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) or Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (though that name isn’t used much currently). As of now, only Daphne’s right elbow is effected and it isn’t causing her pain. We meet with a pediatric rheumatologist in a few weeks to really finalize her diagnosis (there are different types of JIA) so that the best course of treatment (short and long term) can be determined. I will update on Instagram Stories in real time since that is the easiest way for me to push out updates, but also plan on putting up a big post once we know exactly what we are dealing with.
Happy February!
xo M
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