DVF for GapKids + H&M Baby

 

I have a morning routine. Get to work, log-in, check my email, log into Hotmail, check Zulily, People, Facebook and finally Baby Gap. I check Baby Gap everyday because on some days they decide to be really generous and post codes for 15, 20, 25, 30 and sometimes 40% off!

While is true for ME that I place a higher importance on Cruz's fashion sense than that of Nick or myself - I always try to get his clothes on sale. The exception being seeing something I simply must have. Like immediately. So he can wear it the second I get my grimy hands on it. 

  Sometimes I am quite impatient. 

Well seeing that I check Baby Gap everyday I have been waiting in anticipation for legendary fashion icon, DVF's, new GapKids collection...which hits stores and the web today!

Unfortunately it is for girls (infant, toddler, girls) only but still...this mama can admire. Hey, maybe one day...

My favorite pieces of her collection?

 

This DARLING daisy dress

 

These printed shorts

 

And OMG!! These espadrilles! LOVE!

If I had a baby girl - these green heart espadrilles would be one of the things I would HAVE TO HAVE immediately. 

Ohhhh to dream...

A BIG PS: H&M Baby has some KILLLERRRRR new spring arrivals and of course the return of some classic staples that I am OBSESSED with - even better, they are all under $15!

 All Cruz wore last summer were H&M polos!!

BTW - Their jeans really are THE BEST!

Anyway, here is what I am loving. 

 

 

 

 

And because they don't offer online shopping, looks I may need a quick trip to Seattle. 

Who's with me? 

Brothers...from 2 mothers!

2 minutes before these pictures were taken, Trey was getting his diaper changed. He is now at the age where he doesn't quite like it and throws a little mini fit. 2 feet to his left stood Cruz. Standing beside Lucy's big pink indoor car. Laughing. He was staring at Trey watching him scream, cry and kick his little legs while getting his diaper changed and was full on laughing. 

"HA HA. You have to get your diaper changed and I don't!"

Sure - Em and I have seen them "talk" to each other, play with each other, cause trouble with each other, hold each other's hand but this was the first time I really connected with the fact that these two really ARE 

bf-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-s. 

Their little brains communicate with each other! 

This is why I won't be sad for Cruz if our next baby is a girl. 

He'll always have Biggie to be his bff and brother...from another mother!

Needing some sexy back

 

For the first 6 months of my pregnancy with Cruz I was so healthy, it was ridiculous. I didn't gain any weight up to that point because I was walking 2-3 miles every day with my sister, eating 3 very healthy meals a day, had cut out snacks altogether and totally cut out Diet Coke and Starbucks (cause too many people told me that caffeine can cause miscarriage and since we had been through that...yeah...forget that).

THENNNNN as I got a little bigger and further along in my pregnancy, I got a little less strict. 

I would get a tall latte at Starbucks. Everyday. 

I would make peanut butter pancakes for my mid afternoon snacks and then invite Lucy over to have some with me to make me feel better about myself.

Fish and chips were my go to food at Red Robin. Screw the pollo salad. 

And the worst? Every two days I would finish a container of reduced fat oreos (that I would eat ALL BY MYSELF) and go to Albertsons for more. Most of my gorging happened at night BUT I do assure you it started in the morning with 5 for breakfast. Along with 1 cup of Special K Red Berries cereal and a large glass of milk. 

At night when Nick would look over and watch me dunk 2, 4, 6...12 oreos in milk he often asked me why. At the time? I could have cared less. I ate whatever I wanted and was really happy doing it. AT. THE. TIME. 

All in all I gained 33 lbs. Gave birth at a whopping 200.1 lbs. Totally two-ton Sally. In fact my goal was not to go over 200. I guess you could say I made it?? One Oreo too many...dang it. 

The hard part was not gaining each and every 33 lb. I did that one Oreo at a time. The hardest part has and is getting each lb OFF and keeping it off!

Over the last year I was able to get to within 15lb of my pre-pregnancy weight. It was only as of November that I really wanted to get serious about sealing the deal and shredding every last lb. So in November, thanks to my dear friend Kelly, who encouraged me and inspired me to meet her at the gym 3 days a week at 6am, I am now within 5lb of my pre-pregnancy weight and it feels so AMAZING! 

SO In an effort to get the last pesky 5 off (hopefully 10!) I am cleansing! Yesterday marked my first day on Isagenix's 11 day cleanse. 

It is going to be intense as my calories are incredibly stricted - and for four days I am not eating at ALL - but also so worth it because the testimonials are incredible. Even personal friends of mine have had great success and look fabulous. Hey - I am not here to look like some runway model...I just need the kick start to get it all off.

Plus if I am really honest - 1. I am in a wedding this summer...along with half of my high school friends INCLUDING my ex so I have to look good. 2. In preparation for baby Salz 2.0 I have to start well in order to end well and to not deliver at 200.1lbs.

Wish me luck friends, this Oreo-loving gal REALLY needs it!

Oh and yesterday I cut off 5 inches of hair. I don't know if it was because I am knee deep in this cleanse or what but I was feeling rather bold. Tattoo and pink hair bold! I LOVEEEEEEE it. Feels much more edgy and sexy.

This mama DEF. needs some sexy back in her life.

*the first two pictures were after the cut. the last one is today - I decided to go curly!

And I think this - along with my cleanse - just might be the start I was looking for!

What do you think?  

My longest, bestest friend

Today my sister turns 27. 

To think that we have been friends for 27 years kinda blows my mind now that I am sitting down to think about it. She is my longest friend. 

So to commemorate our 27 year friendship and to celebrate my sister's day o' birth allow me to present to you my top reasons I am proud to call Emily Nicole Love MY sister and longest, bestest friend.

She has many talents.

This girl was hit by the talent stick as a young child. For those of you who know her I am sure when I say talent you think basketball. Right? In fact I would go as far to say my sister is a local celebrity for her basketball talent and talent she had has. Yes - there was a LOT of hard work and sacrifice that went into making her a star but she was gifted. Gifted with electrifying athletic ability. Everyone wanted to watch her because she was that captivating. I could go on and on about her many yet unbreakable records, the fact that in high school she only lost 4 games. 4! And how she was drafted into the WNBA...BUT what is most impressive is how she handled her celebrity. If it were me - thoughts such as the only thing people will remember about me is my ability to shoot a ball would run through my mind. Not Emily. She KNOWS she is worth more than her basketball ability. The crazy cool thing??? This girl has talents WAYYYYY beyond the basketball court. 

Did you know she is one of the best make-up artists in the whole country? The WHOLE COUNTRY (okay...in MY opinion). Nothing makes me feel prettier than when I get to sit in front of her for an hour to get "done up". I am not the only one either - she does friends and family's make-up/hair for photos, weddings, special events, and well for the just becauses. It is because Emily loves using her gift to make other people feel beautiful. She really should start a business...

She is a great teacher. Did you know she graduated from Arizona State with a degree in education? After doing her student teaching back here in Spokane she decided the classroom was not for her but she still walked away with an incredible gift. She uses her ability to teach with her children, my children, other's children (on the basketball court) and really any of us willing to learn a little something from her. Oh and speaking of make-up once you sit down with her to learn her craft you will then be able to walk up to the MAC counter all professional demanding products by name in an effort to transform your daily face!

Did you know she is an amazing writer and talented speaker? Emily has a way of writing and speaking truth in a passionate, constructive way that leaves me in awe. FREQUENTLY. Her blog posts are filled with paralyzing truth and raw emotion (my favorite being this one). Her story telling ability is easy and fluid. 

She is the one of the few people I will go to when I get stuck in a sticky situation. How do I handle this? What should I say? What do you think? The other day she told me how to approach my boss about some of my frustrations here at work including this particular co-worker I am pulling out my hair for. Not only was her suggestion really great, I used it the next day and had a totally productive, successful meeting.  

My sis can COOK! I don't know one single time I have walked away from an Emily meal and been dissatisfied. This girl loves to try new recipes, gets meal inspiration from anywhere and is a killer meal planner. Please...ask her to cook you dinner. You won't regret it. 

She is humble.

All I have to say is if you were to talk to her about:

*her basketball accomplishments (which she can't even remember half the time)

*her ability to paint on the most perfect face

*her AMAZING meals or how Lucy can count, say the alphabet, make full sentences and can pretty much READ booksssssssss...

She would smile really big, brush it off, say something like THANKKKSSSS that's soooooooo nice then turn the tables on you and tell you how great your outfit is or how she is loving your new hair style.

She is beautiful...and produces some prettttyyyy babies. 

I mean seriously...she is so pretty. And put together. And with it. I ONLY HOPE to be the hip, stylish, gorgeous mom and wife she is DAILY!

She is the BEST wife and mom. 
...and 2nd mom to my bubsie.
She is the definition of a submissive wife - loving her husband so unselfishly and allowing him to assume the role of leader of their household. Her kids are her life - she adores them and is always reading a new book or meeting with mentors to be the best biblical mother she can be.

She loves Jesus. 
Em and I accepted Jesus as our personal savior on the same day, at the same time. It was a Wednesday night after Awana. I was 6, she was 4.

I vividly remember where we were in our old house on 30th court. I can remember our mom and dad asking us if we were ready to make the decision. I remember my sister's baby voice say yes.

Ever since that one Wednesday, the Wednesday that literally saved our lives Emily has been living out her faith for all to see.

To this day she witnesses to all she knows but STILL believes that Jesus is who he says he is. One reason I can live my life with her so carefree now is because I know that this life isn't all there is with Em. I get to spent eternity with her in Heaven.

She's WAY fun! 
She is almost always up for anyyyyything. Hey Em, wanna go to Target? Hey Em, wanna go to the mall? Hey Em, wanna grab lunch? Hey Em, can we come over? Hey Em....
She is a fun friend because she makes you feel like any idea you have is a good one. And a fun one. OHH and she rarely says no. Which is even more fun!
This is my favorite time with my sister. The times we aren't surrounded by people and things and distractions. It is the time we get. One on one. Laughing at each others jokes and discussing our life plans.

She is the BEST encourager, cheerleader and overall support any person could have. 
I have had some DARK moments. Moments you don't wish upon your worst enemy. In the midst of those dark moments I remember Emily getting mad. She would yell and say things like that bastard! and threaten to fight him any chance she could...
That is what I remember. Nothing anyone said I should do ever helped. I was the only one who could get myself out but Emily's anger and empty threats (cause she doesn't really have a mean bone in her body) was how I knew I had somebody. Someone who was in MY corner no matter how long it took me to get out of it myself.

Whether it be those dark moments, my wedding day, the day Cruz was born, interviewing for the Liberty Lake City Council position or simply living life, my sister is in my corner being the best encourager, cheerleader and overall support person any girl could have!

So to the one person who inspires me (DAILY), supports me, shows me unconditional love, sets me straight, fills my love tank and has stuck by me the longest even when you didn't have to....

Happy Birthday!

Not only is the world a better place with you in it, I am a better woman. 

I love you.

Hey Em:

I just want you to know that I love having a sister!

hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahah

Promise + Un-Delaying the Inevitable

Yo yo yo. It's Friday and I kinda have a lot to blog about. 

Just to give you a snipit...

A lil' LL caucusing and for that matter LL city council, brothers from another mother, sick babies, baby names part 5,653, 10 lb purge, Nick "salesman of the year" Salzwedel, 13 month old Cruz, a mother's calling...ect.

I know. Are you sooooooo curious?

The sick thing is that most of those things are posts already started. Sitting. Waiting to be published. Pics and all but just as I felt in January - I am totally UNINSPIRED. It is depressing. I like re-reading my posts and reacting. The best is when I can walk away and go - now THAT was a good post. Written just like I was talking to one of my Fearsome.

 Is it crazy I do that?

So my promise to you?

I am going to sit down this weekend and next week and FINISH my blog posts. I am going to blog about all of thee above and more. Get excited. 

INNNNNNN the meantime allow me to inspire you this morning because I was inspired. 

All thanks to my guy, NRS. 

So at night after Cruz goes to bed I usually pick up the house, pack Cruz's daycare bag for Em, pack my bag for the gym (working out with the fab Kelly Haas three days a week) and then either a. watch one of our shows with Nick or b. Nick watches an MMA something and I jump in bed and start a girly movie or some show Nick doesn't like on my ipad - like Grey's Anatomy. Wait. Actually, Nick does like GA. In fact he has seen every episode just like I have. The only difference. He isn't OBSESSED like I am. Remember I am the crazy lady who will watch GA on Lifetime EVERY AFTERNOOOONNN. 

Anywaysssss - Nick sent me an email last night and all he said was, "you'll love this". Well at that time I was too busy watching select Grey's Anatomy episodes (because I am crazy). And only the memorable ones like when Denny dies and when Derek and Meredith get back together the first time and when Derek and Meredith's clinical trial becomes a success and they get back together the second time and my personal fave - when Derek proposes to Meredith in the elevator. 

Seriously cray cray.

Nick came into the bedroom after I had watched and CRIED through each episode and goes, "Um were you seriously just crying? I could hear you sniffle 50 times the past 2 hours".

YES husband. I was SOBBING over Derek and Meredith's love story. Sue me.

Anywayyyyy, I finally read the email this morning. And I WAS DYINGGGGGGGGGGGGG. And fist pumping like the crazy person I am. So here you go. Hope you fist pump this morning too. 

Happy Friday!

UN-DELAYING THE INEVITABLE.

It’s inevitable that life isn’t going to treat you fairly.

It’s inevitable that you’re going to find someone who is better than you are.

It’s inevitable that you’re going to try something and fail miserably.

It’s inevitable that you’re going to love someone and end up getting hurt.

It’s inevitable that some of those you call friends won’t have your back when you need it most.

It’s inevitable that you aren’t going to win every business deal you you go after.

It’s inevitable that you are going to make a mistake and hurt others as a result.

It’s inevitable that just when you think you can’t handle one more thing you’re going to need to.

It’s inevitable that the crowd is going to tell you that you’re doing it all wrong.

It’s inevitable that the once you catch a break you’re going to be labeled “lucky”.

Are you starting to see the pattern?

Success is inevitable.

But along the way it’s emotionally tasking.  It’s gut wrenching.  It’s tough.

Every part of you is screaming out for mercy.  You just want to see the finish line.

To be successful you just have to keep going.

You can try to delay the inevitable by avoiding disaster, living in the shadows, and playing it safe.

But even there it is inevitable that you’ll want more for yourself.

You’ll look around and see that what you thought was the safe choice was really the riskiest one of all.

By refusing to lay it all on the line, you’ve chosen not to live.  Not to pursue your dreams.  To lie down and accept defeat.

And then you’ll wish you hadn’t tried to delay the inevitable.

But there’s a truth about success that has rung true throughout the ages.

To be a winner all you have to give is all you have.

That, my friend, is inevitable.

Thank you + Beautiful Memorial

I just want to thank everyone who has supported, encouraged, prayed for, loved on, hugged, thought of  Nick, myself, Bob and the rest of his family through the passing and memorial of his step-mom, Laurie.

Last weekend we went down for her memorial service. 

If I could explain the service to you in one word it would be celebratory - the church auditorium was filled with the music of Jimmy Buffet, Bob Seger, The Celtic Women (amazing btw), the smell of dried lavender, the most beautiful purple orchid arrangement I have ever seen, and people from all walks of life that loved her. A lot. The only time you could visibly hear sobs and the pulling of tissue out of those small Kleenex boxes provided was when Bob - surrounded by her 5 children - got up to speak. In the 5 minutes he was up there he intimately and passionately told the story of their life together and how her biggest prize - the trophy you display for the world to see - was the children standing behind him. 

I was so proud.

While you may think the hard part has passed, it actually has just begun.

 Bob and her children now have to try and exist in a world where their wife/mother is not and that will be the hardest part of all.