Monday, April 30, 2018

Cooking

I have been posting a lot of recipes on my new instagram (@fitmommafashion)

They are all healthy, KETO inspired and fresh! Most of all they are mostly mine. Its amazing to me how some people can cook, like REALLY cook. And how some can boil water for pasta and still mess it up. So whats my story? Which am I? So here goes....


Growing up, we had a live in housekeeper. She cooked, she cleaned, she did everything my mom didn't. My mom worked, but always owned her own business so she was able to be home for important things. My dad also worked, but was home, same deal. So I guess I never noticed that my mother never taught me to cook. I think by the time I got to college I could make grilled cheese and eggs. I cooked dinner for my college boyfriend and I thought I was a pro because I made asparagus with Hollandaise sauce (from a jar!) 

When I moved into the city after living back at home for a while, my roommate and I usually ordered out. Or she would make pasta and chicken. Easy right? That was until I started dating my now husband. I remember vividly his mother saying to me at his sisters' bridal shower when I was asked to bring a recipe and I had no idea what to write. She said "my poor son!" And I was like Oh no, should I learn how to cook? 

So I did on my own. I started by watching cooking shows on the Food Network, I googled recipes, and I collected them from my bridal shower and made a book. I used to "cook" on Sunday nights only. It started very elaborate - stuffed chicken, fingerling potatoes, Lobster pasta, you name it, I tried to make it. Please don't remind me of one Superbowl when I attempted to make wings. haha. 

By the time my son came along, the cooking got better and more frequent. I cooked during the week, Monday through Friday and then stopped on the weekends. I started to get staple meals that I didn't need a recipe for, baked ziti, chicken parm, turkey chili, turkey lasagna.... there were definite usual meals. My husband craves carbs so I made a ton of it for them.

After I had my daughter, I started kicking into overdrive and cooking healthy. Now I make everything healthy during the week. I still do the carbs for my kids and my husband. But I don't eat rice or pasta or bread for dinner. Id rather have zoodles, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, Cauliflower pizza, fish with roasted veggies.... they all keep me satisfied and happy. 

But now when I cook, I still do google and use pinterest, but I love it. I make a shopping list over the weekend and I love going to the grocery store on Monday. I sometimes get inspired while walking down the aisles. And its fun. I have the right spices, oils, pans, utensils in my house. (unlike my mom who has one pan, one spatula and no tupperware, wtf!?)

So it just goes to show you - you can adapt to ANY environment. I am a house wife, a mother, a chef, a chauffeur, a problem solver, event planner, gym rat, personal shopper, activity curator, bedtime expert, house cleaner, laundry doer, doctor and dog walker. I learned how to cook because it was part of who I became. And it makes me feel happy to know that I don't need to rely on someone else to nourish myself especially being self taught. 

How did you learn to cook? 

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Social Media Rant

So I have been super annoyed with social media lately. Here are the things that bother me about it the most! 

1. Facebook - My feed gets flooded with people I don't care as much about. I really only want to see updates on current friends. I also hate how politic talk is rampant on there. I want to see babies, couples, happy occasions, important news, milestones, recipes, but no opinions constantly on trump. I wonder if I block some of those people it will open up to the stuff I want to see

2. Those who don't reciprocate - I am the nicest person on social media. I like photos, I comment, I keep up. I feel like people do NOT do the same with me. Maybe they don't like me, who knows! All I know is that they don't comment back the way they should. And I know, I know, maybe they don't check it or go on as much. But they do! They comment on their friends photos... but then again maybe I am blocked by all of the other stupid crap. 

3. It is so hard to keep up! - I cannot post everyday, I cannot hashtag cute enough, and I am not in trend with all of the new emojis, handwriting tricks and gifs! I finally got gifs on instagram and now they are gone because there was a racist gif. Oy! 


What annoys you the most about social media?

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Outfits for less!

Hi all! By the way, I started a new InstaGram account @fitmommafashion  
Hope you come check me out! I love posting about fashion deals I get, workouts I have completed and healthy meals I have created. It has definitely become a passion of mine. I am happy to showcase it with photos and tags on instagram. (Anyone else SICK of Facebook?) Ugh. Thats another story all together! 


So I found these leggings that I loved on Nordstrom from Onzie. Colorblocking is so in right now and cute. Especially in activewear when you want to draw away attention from certain trouble zones. This pair costs $70



Then as I was on Oldnavy (which I love to order stuff for the kids and hubby at great steals) I found this almost identical pair for half the price! So I ordered them and I can't wait till they get here. The high-rise version was $29 plus 20% off and the  mid rise (which flatters me better) was $32 with 20% off (plus I had a $5 credit since Im an avid Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy shopper!) 



Don't they look eerily similar? I tried the Onzie ones on and they just didn't fit right. So hoping the latter fit better. Happy hunting all! 


Saturday, March 3, 2018

Styles for less

Ive been noticing trends lately, A LOT. Maybe its just being around other fit and stylish moms. Maybe its having some time to search online while my littles are napping or playing. But I have always known what I like. Here are some really hot things right now and some items that look super similar but for much less!



Ultracor Star Leggings 


Costs $185 for the ankle length and $195 for the full length. I found a very similar pair on ebay going for $30  These are made by Jessica Simpson called the warmup star leggings. They look very similar. However, I wanted the real deal, so I scoured ebay and then postmark and found a pair in my size for $40 plus shipping. Not a bad deal! 




 Golden Goose Star Sneakers

These sell at high end stores, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks, Barneys. This pair was $515. Then I found a copy pair that cost $49.98 by Vintage Havana at DSW. Although there are tons of copies of these star sneakers everywhere. I am still unsure if I like them enough for that high price tag, or if the style will die soon. 




Valentino Rockstud Jelly Sandals




I really love the rock stud line. I have a pair of the classic T strap ones that I bought at Saks a few years ago. They were totally worth the $995 price tag. I wear them all the time and they are super comfy. They are now making these which I love for summer at a costly $345 from high end stores. They come in plenty of colors too. Then I saw these replicas Steve Madden for $20. They look identical. 



I always wonder if I should spend the money on the real one, or are some things just worth getting a copy until the trend goes out. However its fun to search around the internet for deals and steals. What have you found copies of that might be worth getting? 






Friday, January 12, 2018

Workout momma gear

So lately I have been mom to two and workout/gym rat fiend! So I feel like since I am no longer working in an office what is the point of buying dresses, blouses, fancy shoes, etc. I might as well buy stuff for me that I can wear everyday. I still do buy nice jeans and sweaters and every day clothes. But I am in workout gear 4-5 days a week. Here are some of my faves lately. I am loving bolder workout pants with patterns and stars. I am dying for the Ultracor pair but they are $200. That seems insane! And the same for the Golden Goose sneakers - they are $500 and look already worn it. I did however get the amazing Moncler coat for Hannukah this year. I love it! What do you feel you need to dress for your job? Whether it be at home or at work?

And just to update my weight since its been a year - I have lost of all my baby weight and then some. I reached 110 pounds which is my skinniest! I am now at 111-113, it varies! But I am happy to say I feel good about it!



Workout momma gear


Alo white shiny legging
nordstrom.com


Ultracor embellished pants
saksfifthavenue.com


Moncler clothing
bloomingdales.com


Zella sportswear
nordstrom.com


Lululemon sports bra
lululemon.com


Terez pants
terez.com


Golden goose trainers
lanecrawford.com

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Post baby shopping party!




Post pregnancy! Post pardum. I will be brutally honest. I gained 24 lbs during this pregnancy. Which is not that much (but consider I only went 7 months) If I went the full term Im sure I would have hit almost 40. And before this baby I was at my almost skinniest weight. 3 months later I have lost 12 lbs with 12 more to go. But I will be happy with 6-8 more. I am starting to fit back into my clothes and I have the will to shop again! Woo hoo. (Hubs is not happy with all the packages coming to our door) But it always seems like around the holidays I am click happy. I like to buy online and return. Its cathartic. Here are some things I have been buying (and returning) and keeping! I especially am into all of the leather details like in that Kooples dress I got and coated jeans and top I just got from Nordstroms. I love heathered soft wear like that cardigan and gap shirt and cold shoulder tee. And fur is fun with high top shoes. And the Chloe flats, still a dream. Not sure I need $600 shoes right now   - But there is always spring time :)
Winter 2016

Thursday, October 13, 2016

C-Section

I have never in my wildest dreams wanted or thought I would ever have a c-section.  I could never understand why people who didn't need to have them, scheduled them, wanted them, planned on them, look forward to having them! But when you have a 28 week preemie and she is breach, you need to have an emergency one.

My first pregnancy was vaginal and he basically stayed in there for almost 24 hours and then I spent 1.5 hours pushing, until I vomited and he flew out. She was out in 30 minutes. The drugs were good and I saw nothing, felt nothing. It felt like tugging. I remember them closing me up and tugging more. I kept picturing my insides and organs splayed across the hospital bed. One person said "bikini season is over" and I imagined a huge slit down my tummy. Although the slit is just along the hair line. Day one is ok, because you have morphine running through you. Day 2 is a bitch. You can't go to the bathroom (besides the fact I had a catheter, which took forever to pee again after) I also had an experience with fainting since I needed a blood transfusion. Finally day 5 out of the hospital was fine, but you feel like a caged animal. You can't sleep on your side, you can't drive, you can excessively use stairs, you can't pick up the dog or your son who is over 5 lbs. Your scar twinges and your belly is constantly numb. UGH. Pain meds are fine and so are naps, but its awful. Also, my feet swelled up like cantaloupes and finally went down after a few days.

After week 2 you can drive again and you feel more free. I think now by week 4 I feel more like me. Emotionally however, you are a mess. Raging hormones and not leaving the hospital with your baby. For me, it was seeing all the swollen pregnant bellies, complaining about it. Like I wish I could hold my baby in my body longer to where she needs. But I couldn't.

By week 6 they say I will be back to normal. But what is normal anymore?