Client Teaser:

Been working with a local gal

sprucing up her digs.

Here is a sneak peak of
what's happening over there...

Again,
only a sneak peak...

More to come.

So what did you think?

Happy Valentines Day

Happy V-Day to you!

Not sure about you,
but Valentine's Day
"Brookes style"
usually involves
home made:

home made cards,
home made food,
home made celebration.

As you can see from last year,
I do not tell a lie.

This is what the girls and I woke up to this morning.

4 Valentines Day cards
AND
our coveted morning note.

That's bonus noteage around here.
(Did I just make up a word?)

What a good man.

Made one of our favorite dinners last night,
Roasted Paprika Chicken
(you can find the recipe in this post,
if you are interested)

Then the fam enjoyed some
after-dinner, fresh from the oven,
warm sprinkle brownies
especially made by teenage daughter.

Can you say "hit"?
Because they were.

Simple chocolate goodness.

Perfect.

As you can see,
we ate them so fast,
I didn't even have time
to get a "before" picture.

That's okay.
You get the gist.

So where's
the romancy-schmancy part on
the biggest "love" day of the year?

Okay.
Hubs and I might have snuck in a bubble bath
after the family soccer game in the park and
before mamma made dinner.
Don't worry.
That's all the detail you will get on that one.

So that was it.
No real hoopla, but plenty of goodness.

Now let me hear about YOUR V-day?

Day Date with the Hubs

This is for all

you married folk out there...
or soon to married...

Today I'm posting about

good habits in marriage.

One thing I know for sure,
after almost 19 years behind us.
Going on dates with the hubs,
is a good thing.

No matter how long you've been married:
newlyweds or veterans.

Consistent dating is good.

On a date
pre-marriage
circa:1992

That's right.

Date your man, peeps.

If he doesn't plan them,
Don't be offended.
YOU plan them.
Or just show up with a bag of food
during his lunch break.
Voila.
Day date.

It doesn't have to be elaborate
or expensive.

Just make it part of your weekly routine.
(Okay, how about every other week)

Look at it as a parenting plan:
What? You ask.

Teach your kids that dating daddy is the priorty.
That's right...

Attention to your marriage first.
Then to your kids...
Your family life
all stems from the marriage you have.

Hey.
Someday the kids will fly the coop.
It will just be you and the hubs.
We better like our guys.
Dating is good for that.

Keep it in check.

Hubs and I love our day dates.
We have them often.

They also tend to be less expensive,
and works better with the multitude of
soccer and track practice taxi duties.

More dating...

I can even remember meeting Mr. Man for lunch
a million years ago when the kids were
little itty bitty.
Thats right,
3 kids under the age of 3.
We all met him at work with our brown bag lunch
from our fave sandwich shop.

We set up camp, picnic style
in the parking lot,
yes,
the parking lot.
It was actually a little grassy median
off to the side of the parking lot,
under a tree.
Very quaint.


Over the years, more dating

It keeps a marriage strong.

That's my tip of the day:
Date your man!

My guy and I have a day date today.
Whew hew.

The Sartorialist...Revisited

I know I've mentioned this guy before

Yeah.

Right here.

Just love his photos
Here he is again

Just cuz...

Completely workin' it.

Terrific trio:
bangs, sweater and elastic ankle pants

Who doesn't love the blanket-like wrap?

Check out the shoe-booties paired with the cuffed denim.
Heart.


Do we like the shoes?
Fab or drab?

(I tried some on recently,
and my daughter asked,
"what's with the nurses shoes, mom?")

I just like the way this gentleman looks.
Reminds me of my man-crush,
James Carville.

( I don't know why either...but I do.)

Wardrobe Wednesday: White After Labor Day

You can take the girl out of San Diego,

but you can't take San Diego out of the girl.

Who says you can't wear white after Labor Day?

The sidewalks are still spotted with snow.
True.

My desktop weather gadget
reads a brisk 21 degrees
at the moment.
True.

Just had to get out from under that drab dark wardrobe
that a frigid, wintery climate can bring out.

My love affair with stripes continues.
(pardon the blur...
camera operator error)

Layer #1:
Striped cotton tee over white button down

Layer #2
Add one teenaged daughter's sweater

Don't forget the leg warmers
in weather like this.

Layer #3:
Eddie Bauer First Ascent 365 Down-light Sweaters
*See more about jacket, here.

So would you agree?
White in February
or
big fat no no?

Let's here it. I can take it...

Recommended Read

I am a lover of books.

( I know I'm repeating myself here)

Always have been.
Used to L-O-V-E when I'd get
dropped off at the library
and get to stay for hours
when I was a kid

Ah.
Heaven.

Today, I will admit,
I face some serious distractions
that take me away from my long
list of
"want-to-read's":

The Bachelor
American Idol
House Hunters International

I digress.

I want to share with you a great book
I just finished.

No, I'm not talking about this one:

But you can find out more about
Dave Ramsey
and his
Total Money Makeover
here

*Doing pretty good with this guy's plan,
by the way.

The book I'm talking about is:

The Chosen
By
Chaim Potok

I friend recommended this classic.

By the way,
the friend who recommended it is probably
one of the biggest readers I know.
She is never distracted by those silly shows on
the talking box because she doesn't watch one!

Avid, avid reader, she is.

So when I posed the question,
"What is one of your top contemporary reads of all time?"
I knew it was going to be good.

This is what she recommended.

She did NOT disappoint.

This book bought me back to my college days,
of deep thinking and big ideas.
It's heavy peeps.
But heavy in a good, good way.
It has thought provoking timeless themes such as,
faith,
parenting,
friendship
and coming of age.

Takes place in Brooklyn, New York,
circa 1940's.
Two 15 year old boys
living in a Jewish neighborhood.
I won't say anymore...

I encourage you to pick it up.

The last few page are endearing,
tearful and heartfelt.
Grab that box of tissues.

Reader friends,
I highly, highly recommend it.

Please do let me know what you think,
if you, indeed, pick it up.
Or even if you've already read it...
would HEART your thoughts.

As always,

Scoot over Skinnys, Enter Wide leg

You know I love

me some good skinnys
but let us not forget
the ever popular and sometimes forgotten
Wide Leg Denim.

Take a looksie.

Do we not love?

Gap
$79.50

Gap
$69.50

Derek Lam

Be on the lookout.

This is my
humble
Spring
prediction.

Can you tell I'm looking
ahead to warmth and sun?

Tell me what you think...