Things I learned at 40

They say life begins at 40. I am not sure who they are but I will take this to mean that the understanding of life begins somewhere around 40. And this is sadly true.

Here is what I've learned so far:

• My mother WAS always right. She doesn't read this blog and I will never, ever admit this to her.
• Marrying your friend is far more important than marrying the best looking or most successful. I lucked out and got both. And today, I am thankful that when something happens - whatever that may be - he is still the first person I want to share it with.
• Red nail polish calls for the shortest nails you are willing to wear.

• Tattoos really are forever. And laser removal? It hurts. A lot.
• Having a baby at 39 really does keep you young. I highly recommend it.
• You can wear long hair at 40. REALLY long hair.
• I still hate to fly. I will always hate to fly.
• It is possible to survive on little to no sleep for 18 months. You will want to kill yourself but you will somehow make it through.
• You will be more anxious at 40. Cautious. The 20's were such bliss in their ignorance.
• Sleep is the best medicine. Laughter is a close second.
• I should have tried Dr. Pepper earlier than just this past Friday. Christina never told me it tasted like cherry coke. I love cherry coke. 
• Note to self: Blonde. Don't try brown, you will ALWAYS regret it. And always end up back in the salon going, you guessed it, blonde.

• True friends? Really true friends. Are incredibly hard to come by. Hold onto the ones that are worthy of the title.
• You will one day get irritated by how loud they play the music in the likes of Abercrombie and Hollister. Yes, even though you used to do the same and worse in your own car. 
• There are a few things that look good on no one. Blue eyeshadow is one of them. Spice colored hose is another. Followed closely by white shoes. A true friend would tell you that. 

Happy Monday!

They Say it's Your Birthday

It's funny how the older you get, the less you want to remember celebrate your birthday. 

I plan on keeping it low-key this weekend. 

But we do actually have a semi-date night planned for Saturday night, in the form of a sans kids birthday party, so this week's Friday Fancie's theme was perfect.

To see full outfit details, {including the color block poncho I am beyond obsessed with} follow me on Polyvore. 

And in the spirit of birthday's, a gift for you :: a choice of anything from eShakti's site, {I once chose this lovely} to a maximum value of $60.

Anything!
If only all birthday gifts were this perfect. 

To Enter:
You must be a follower of my blog.
Visit eShakti's site here and tell me what you would choose if you won.
Extra Entries:
{leave a separate comment for each}
Like eShakti's facebook page here. 
Follow eShakti on twitter here.
Like my facebook page here.
Follow me on twitter here.
Follow me on pinterest here.
Tweet about the giveaway (2 entries) including link to post "I entered @avagracescloset giveaway to win a $60 credit from eShakti. Have you?" 
Open to residents of the US/Canada.
Contest closes May 4th at midnight.
::Good Luck::

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!

What Ava Wore : It's All in the Accessories

For those who follow my what.i.wore posts, you already know what a huge fan of accessories I am. The right piece can truly make an outfit. Am I right?

It's only natural that I would pass this love along to my Ava.

Ponytail Holders - c/o Little Patootique
Shirt - Baby Gap
Jeans - Baby Gap
Shoes - LelliKelly

 

Hairband - c/o Little Patootique
Top - Gymboree
Jeans - Gymboree

 
Little Patootique is an on-line children's hair accessories boutique whose tagline reads:

BE silly. Giggle. BE blissful.

I'm in.

The quality of each item we received is excellent. And don't even get me started on how adorable the packaging is.

 I'm a sucker for anything done up right.

Most importantly, Ava kept the headband IN HER HAIR. This can only mean it didn't hurt. And Lord knows it's tough to find a headband that doesn't. 

The team at Little Patootique has been kind enough to offer a sweet giveaway for my readers :: a set of the items you see Ava wearing. Yay!

To enter:

You must be a follower of my blog.

Visit Little Patootique's site and tell me what item is your absolute favorite. 

For extra entries:
{Leave a separate comment for each}

Like Little Patootique's facebook page here.
Subscribe to their mailing list here.

Follow me on twitter here.

Follow me via bloglovin' here.

Follow me on pinterest here.

Giveaway ends at midnight, May 3rd. 
{Open to Canada/U.S.}

Good Luck!

If you just can't wait to get your hands on their lovelies, use code AVAGRACESCLOSET to receive 15% off of any purchase now through mid-May.

Dislaimer: We received these products free of charge from Little Patootique in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own. 

Photo Shoot Fail

Trying to get a photo of my 3 together is no easy feat.
I saw an opportunity recently since Julian agreed to wear a shirt. Pink even.
And the girls were color coordinated.
But could we get just one little photo where everyone was looking at the camera.not close eyed.open mouthed.giggling?
Not so much.

It would be good if they actually looked towards the camera.

Ava is more fascinated by the mirror.

I am not sure where Julian is but obviously not interested in this modelling gig.

Julian returns but I can't get Ava to stop looking at him and laughing.

He is pretty funny. I don't blame her.

Ava finds the mirror again (and Julian's forehead).

Julian tries to strike his now famous finger pose and ends up looking like he is trying to throw up. Always attractive.

Giggle party.

Non-stop.

I almost lost them here.

I have no idea what is happening. Or why.

They look like they may or may not be singing. 

Ava becomes less interested in me. 

And more fascinated by her hands.

Right when Julian decides to smile nicely. Par for the course.

The very last photo may be the best one I got. Yes, Julian's mouth is open. But it's always open so it's ok.
At least everyone is looking at me. For once.
My babies. 


Happy Tuesday!

Girls Helping Girls

My dear friend Monica and her husband, selflessly run a school for girls in the Philippines.

Girls that would otherwise be unable to attend school. Ever.

Girls who might not be able to read or write otherwise.

To read how it all started, you can visit her blog here. 
The Fundamental Learning Academy for Girls {F.L.A.G.} started out as a dream. A dream for a man who always wished for a daughter of his own.
Today, there are 23 girls attending school full time at F.L.A.G.

Launching today, Shop HER Closet.

Shop our closet's. And 20% of all sales will go directly to F.L.A.G.
New products will be added daily starting with Ms. Ava's closet.
Girls Helping Girls.
It all starts with the tiniest of something's. 

What Ava Wore : Gingham

There are few things I love more than gingham.
Perfect for hangin' around and bird watching in the backyard. 

Gingham Shirt - H+M Kids
Skinnies - Baby Gap
Shoes - LelliKelly

My sister-in-law may have said she looked like she was wearing an italian checkered table cloth.
I'm ok with that.
And wouldn't mind finding one in my own size.

Are you a fan of gingham? 
Happy Thursday!

What I Wore : Black on Black

It's been a bit of a rough week around here.

Molars coming in and a beloved lost stuffed giraffe have caused more than a few sleep issues.

But it's Wednesday again.

All is not lost.

Sunglasses - Michael Kors | Necklace - Local Boutique | hirt - Custom by Maxwell | Sweater - Vintage (Anjene)
Skirt - Zara | Shoes - Nine West

And that's what I'm wearing on Wednesday.

Celebrating the Men in my Life

We hoped Julian might make his appearance on the same day as my husband's birthday but he had other plans. 

One day later. {read his birth story here}

This year, we celebrated my boys together. 

No fancy fondant for these guys.
Just the biggest gold medal ribbon ice cream cake we could find.
Which we may or may not have eaten for days later.

We sang. Twice. 
Once for each of the men in my life.
Happy Day.

Croatia Bound

Late post today as Ava and I went over to say a final goodbye to my mama before she goes off to see her sister in Zagreb this evening.

Know that she and I were supposed to be going as well.

Except I wimped out.

Anyone who has traveled with a 2 year old before will know why.

And travelling to Europe is especially daunting. 

Growing up, I spent every summer in Croatia. 

Always surrounded by lots of family. But now, there is only one sister left.

It's sad really. Life changes so much.

All of my fondest memories are there.

And I miss it.

Definitely a must-do once Ava gets just a little older.

Allow me to share my Zagreb with you. I may be crying just a little bit.

The Centre "Trg Republike"

The infamous "kaminita vrata" or "stone doors". If I had just one dollar for every time I have walked along those cobblestones. 

The government buildings in Spring

My route to the city centre

A favorite store "Kras" :: Zagreb's most famous chocolate maker

The outdoor market :: where we spent many mornings 

"Slasticarna Vincek" one of the most popular ice cream spots in the city :: where we spent most afternoons

I look at these photos and remember my aunt Zlata, who has long-since passed, hurrying off to the market in the morning before I woke up to make sure I had fresh, warm bread for breakfast.

She would barter with the shop owners to ensure she got only the best sour milk {believe me when I tell you it was fabulous} and cheese. 

We ate dinner at 5pm or so and it always consisted of whatever you had picked up at the market that day. Very different from what we eat here and much better for the diet.
Some evenings we would walk into the city centre for ice cream. Looking at the photos today, I find it strange to see a Mango store next to the beloved "Vincek Slasticarna".

Guess everything changes.
Me? I would do just about anything to go back in time and have everything be exactly as it was.

Safe travels mom. 
Can't wait to hear all the stories when you get back.

Friday Fancies :: Pretty in Pastels

I can't think of many things prettier than soft blue denim worn with the palest of pink and accented with lots of gold. 
So feminine and fresh.

Happy Friday! 

I am birthday'd out.

Double Digits

Our boy turns 10 today.

10.

When did that happen?

Julian.
He who never wears his retainer. 
I am surprised I caught him with it on for these pictures.
He who has a beauty mark in the exact.same.spot as his daddy.
He who hates shoe laces.
And most socks.
He who still sleeps with a night light on.
And who would still prefer to room with mom or dad. 
He who might be addicted to chocolate.
And remains a committed carnivore. 
He who will not speak in public.
And won't shut up at home.
He who recently got his blue belt.
Who has tried soccer.basketball.skating.skiing and doesn't like any of them that much.
He who is semi-afraid of cats.
Yes, even little ones.
And who cried OUT LOUD when he found out his mama was having another girl.
He who won't admit it but who loves his sisters, big and small, more than anything.
He who has a big, sensitive heart.
And who can do any lego set. Any time.
Usually while getting out of homework. 
He who we're hoping will develop a love for school. Ahem. Later in life.

Sweet boy, we love you.
Wishing you the very happiest of birthday's! 
xo

Our Almost Easter Bunny

Know that there were bunny ears.

Pink and white ones.

They didn't last long. 

But the smiles certainly did.

They started as soon as I showed her the dress she would be wearing.

{she may get that from me}

And didn't end all weekend.

The rest of which was spent eating. And eating some more.

Hope you all had a Blessed Easter.