THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

HEY, FLYBOY! MY GIFT IS MY BLOG AND THIS ONE'S FOR YOU.

THINKING ABOUT: I got a new pair of striped sunnies recently (they've made an appearance or two on the blog), and I utterly ADORE them! To be completely honest, I've swooned over these specs since I was pregnant with Max, so I was ecstatic to find them on sale recently. From the moment they arrived and I put them on for the first time, I was smitten. Slap these puppies on your mug and a double-barrel grin in imminent. I promise. Now imagine the following Swell Rio scene that took place last Saturday morning in our kitchen. I was preparing to run errands all by m' self. As I was gearing up to leave the house, I threw on my snazzy sunglasses. I guess I forgot that it was also the first time Flyboy had seen me don my new pair. Sigh. As he took note of my latest statement accessory, I was prepared for him to love them just as much as I did. I wasn't prepared for him to tell me that I looked like flipping ELTON JOHN. What the what?! I couldn't help but shake my head and then proceeded to give him a ton of crap. Perhaps next time he could compare me to someone like, I don't know, the fabulous Iris Apfel?! We had a good laugh and I went on my merry way. But since life has a sick sense of humor, I fired up The Rig and headed out on Highway 90 into town when a certain song started playing. Anyone have any guesses? Would you believe me if I told you that after a handful of radio ads, the first song I heard was BENNY AND THE JETS? Are you freaking kidding me?! I almost had to pull over from laughing so hard. This life is never dull, that's for sure!

THANKFUL FOR: As silly as it sounds, I couldn't be more grateful for footed jammies that keep Max looking little. The older he gets, the more fun we have with him, but that also means that he's growing up. It's all happening so fast. Waaaaaaaaah!!!! Make it stop.

FEELING: A successful trip to the park means that Max returns home with grass stains on his knees and mulch/dirt in his coat pocket.

EATING: In the event you're interested in Whole30 or currently doing one yourself, here are a few recipes we tried this week...

Greek Meatballs with Avocado Tzatziki via Primally Inspired

Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa via The Cookie Rookie

Sloppy Joe's with Zucchini Noodles via Jay's Baking Me Crazy

Rustic Beef, Tomato, and Cabbage Stew via So...Let's Hang Out

LISTENING TO: In the afternoon while Max is napping, I like to listen to the Carla Bruni station on Pandora. Something about it makes me feel like I'm being transported to a Parisian cafe on some quaint side street—more than likely noshing on a baguette and people watching. In all actuality, I live approximately eight miles from the Mexican border, praying that nap time lasts a full two hours, and trying my best not to think about the boat-load of fruit snacks we've got stocked in the kitchen cupboard.

WATCHING: If Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's "sole objective was to rage hard and honor Toto properly," then they nailed it in their 'Africa' tribute video. Have you seen it? I want to watch it on repeat for the rest of my life. It's brilliant, and they're darling!!

READING: I received Maira Kalman's Beloved Dog as a Christmas gift from my sister, and I can't tell you how many times I've pulled it down from my bookshelf to pore over and read. Just as you might expect from Kalman, the book is a charming and quirky take on the human connection to dogs. Part memoir, part love letter to our canine companions, the book has a hidden layer of philosophy that  encourages the reader to embrace the glorious imperfections that make us human. Kalman's wit paired with her gorgeous illustrations remind us why dogs bring out the best in us. Whether you're a fan of Maira or dogs, this is a must-read for ALL.

LOVING: If I have to go to Wally World, I like to treat myself to a Caramel Macchiato afterward. It only seems right! But since that's not happening any time soon, I decided a morning of tedious errands in town called for matching cardigans. That's right, Max and I wore matching sweaters! It's incredibly dorky when something like this makes you SO giddy, but I loved every moment of it. I don't know if I've ever skipped around Wal-Mart with that much gusto. Oh, and my orange tote coordinated with his pants. Perfecto!

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!