Winter with a Side of Heat InstaFashion {Fashion}

Through the first half of January, I lived in scarves. But, true to So Cal, the weather changed from wintery gray skies to sunny spring-like days… and back! So, the fashion seen here is a bit weather eclectic depending on the day. 

Cool temps: shirt: Target a few seasons ago, skinnies: Target, peep toe bootie: Kohls, watch: Macy’s, bangles: Macy’s and Target

This shirt has been a staple of my wardrobe lately and I’m not sure how I ever lived without it!

Wintery day- shirt: Anthropologie, skinnies: F21, belt: possibly Express or NY&Co (have had a while, I can’t remember), boots: Rampage from amazon, scarf: one I’ve had around a while

As for the higher temps of 70s? I’d rather stave them off, but dressing for the colder weather in my head just leads to a sweaty mess, so I’ve embraced the spring-like temps… And busted out those sandals again. Can anyone say pedi?

Spring has sprung! shirt: Kohls, skinnies: Target, sandals: Macy’s, bracelets: larger Kohls, bangles are leopard print I’ve had hanging around, sunnies: Kate Spade (similar)

Back to winter! sweater: CAbi, t-shirt: Victoria Secret, skinnies: Target, black skinny belt: possibly Express or NY&Co (have had a while, I can’t remember)

Rainy morning with a high in the mid-60s (this is now considered another wintery day here in So Cal, so I dressed appropriately!) Oh my, that mirror needs a lil glass cleaner! t-shirt: Anthropologie, skinnies: F21, boots: Rampage, bracelet: Macy’s, bangles: oh so ancient, I don’t remember where they’re from, but they are leopard print!, earrings: trusty ‘ol Target

It’s been a month of wintery-spring fashions!

Potty Training Revisited

Apparently, according to the 3-day Potty Training expert, I’m doing it all wrong.

Months ago, Lovebug began showing interest in the potty; even telling us she needed a “clean butt” – our term for diaper changes around here. After a little oopsie on mine and Lovebug’s part, we invested in the potty chair, and even had a successful poop! That all faded away.

Even though we’d offer the potty, and she might sit for several minutes, nothing else happened there. No biggie, because apparently this is a no-no for the 3-day training method.

At only 16 months, I wasn’t ready to push the potty and since? Well, she’ll be 22 months on the 3rd and has progressed her interest – heading to the bathroom with me every. chance. she. gets. According to the self-professed Potty Training Queen every child is ready at 22 months or thereafter.

I’m at a crossroad.

I want to knock this potty training business out and be done with diapers, but I’m scared.

What I’m scared of:

1. Lovebug is still in a crib and sleeps from approximately 8 p.m. to 730/8 a.m. AND I LOVE MY SLEEP. The 3-day training method is not only for days but nights, as well. The dilemma? I’m afraid her young age and possibly her lack of bladder control is going to royally screw up my sleep-through-the-night time.

2. I’m afraid I’m going to lose my sleep-through-the-night ability.

and 3. well, you get it!

Then, of course, as with everything else, you hear other training methods contradicting the methods of the 3-day training course.

I’m so confused. We’ve got a great thing going and I’m afraid to muddy that up, and I keep telling myself she’s not even 2 yet so what’s the big deal if she’s potty trained right now. Then again, it could be so awesome. Then again, my sleep-filled nights could be lost to little bladders. 

Help!

Pearls and a Cardigan… and a Splash of Polka Dots {Fashion}

You may remember seeing a quick snap of this outfit on Instagram. 

Here it is in its full glory, making me feel a little June-Cleaverish… If she wore pants.

Pearls scream sophistication, right?

I just love the detailing on the shirt: flowers on the cuffs and collar and the sheer polka dots on the back!

I always feel like such a grown up in cardigans and pearls!


And if I didn’t look June Cleaver enough, here I am in my apron getting set to cook a lamb and falafel for that evening’s dinner.

Ok, enough!… Can someone please, get me a glass of wine?

Pearls and a Cardigan… and a Splash of Polka Dots {Fashion}

You may remember seeing a quick snap of this outfit on Instagram. 

Here it is in its full glory, making me feel a little June-Cleaverish… If she wore pants.

Pearls scream sophistication, right?

I just love the detailing on the shirt: flowers on the cuffs and collar and the sheer polka dots on the back!

I always feel like such a grown up in cardigans and pearls!


And if I didn’t look June Cleaver enough, here I am in my apron getting set to cook a lamb and falafel for that evening’s dinner.

Ok, enough!… Can someone please, get me a glass of wine?

Clean Eating Fish Recipe

With marathon training in full swing in preparation for April, my “paleo diet” – I use the term loosely, because I don’t follow one form of diet (I’ve talked about that in the past) rather a clean, healthy way of eating with limited gluten – is working overtime.

I needed a change up from the same ol, same ol. We love fish ’round here and I try to eat it often, but it seems like chicken wins out mostly. Not this time, I decided I’d shop the fish market. I picked up mahi mahi for a reasonable market price and set to the kitchen to get creative.

Looking for a filling, healthy fish recipe? I got just the one!

FISH RECIPE

What you’ll need:

1 lb of fish (I used mahi mahi, but halibut might also be tasty for this)

dijon mustard

1/2 cup almonds, coarsely chopped

1 Tspb fresh dill, finely chopped

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

fresh ground pepper, to taste

lemon zest

What you’ll do:

1. Preheat oven to 400º. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil spray.

2. Combine lemon zest, almonds, dill, 1 tsp olive oil, and pepper in small bowl.

3. Place fish on prepared baking sheet and thinly coat dijon mustard on top.

4. Divide the mixture of lemon and almonds among the fish portions and press into the mustard.

5. Bake the fish 18 to 20 minutes looking for an opaque center, depending on thickness. (Mine were pretty thick steaks, so I cooked for 18 minutes and they were perfect.)

6. Serve and enjoy.

What to prepare for a side?

I made brussels sprouts and it was a delicious compliment. Here’s the recipe for that!

BRUSSELS SPROUTS RECIPE

What you’ll need: 

Handful of brussels sprouts

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

What you’ll do:

1. Prepare brussels sprouts by chopping off ends, cutting in halves, and then shredding like a salad.

2. Heat olive oil in pan on medium heat.

3. Add minced garlic and allow to cook for a few minutes.

4. Add brussels sprouts to oil and garlic and cook until sprouts are a nice golden hue, approximately 10 minutes.

5. Serve with fish and enjoy!

Clean Eating Fish Recipe

With marathon training in full swing in preparation for April, my “paleo diet” – I use the term loosely, because I don’t follow one form of diet (I’ve talked about that in the past) rather a clean, healthy way of eating with limited gluten – is working overtime.

I needed a change up from the same ol, same ol. We love fish ’round here and I try to eat it often, but it seems like chicken wins out mostly. Not this time, I decided I’d shop the fish market. I picked up mahi mahi for a reasonable market price and set to the kitchen to get creative.

Looking for a filling, healthy fish recipe? I got just the one!

FISH RECIPE

What you’ll need:

1 lb of fish (I used mahi mahi, but halibut might also be tasty for this)

dijon mustard

1/2 cup almonds, coarsely chopped

1 Tspb fresh dill, finely chopped

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

fresh ground pepper, to taste

lemon zest

What you’ll do:

1. Preheat oven to 400º. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil spray.

2. Combine lemon zest, almonds, dill, 1 tsp olive oil, and pepper in small bowl.

3. Place fish on prepared baking sheet and thinly coat dijon mustard on top.

4. Divide the mixture of lemon and almonds among the fish portions and press into the mustard.

5. Bake the fish 18 to 20 minutes looking for an opaque center, depending on thickness. (Mine were pretty thick steaks, so I cooked for 18 minutes and they were perfect.)

6. Serve and enjoy.

What to prepare for a side?

I made brussels sprouts and it was a delicious compliment. Here’s the recipe for that!

BRUSSELS SPROUTS RECIPE

What you’ll need: 

Handful of brussels sprouts

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

What you’ll do:

1. Prepare brussels sprouts by chopping off ends, cutting in halves, and then shredding like a salad.

2. Heat olive oil in pan on medium heat.

3. Add minced garlic and allow to cook for a few minutes.

4. Add brussels sprouts to oil and garlic and cook until sprouts are a nice golden hue, approximately 10 minutes.

5. Serve with fish and enjoy!

A Name Change?

With the new year, and new things on the horizon, I’ve been toying with ideas for this space.


Recently, my passions for cooking and fashion have been featured here. Crafting is finding its home here, as well. And don’t forget the look and feel of the blog!


I’ll admit this space has morphed quite a bit. Like my child who grows and changes – seemingly at the blink of an eye – this blog has seen transitions too.


I feel a name change is in order. 


You’re welcome to read the story of how it began, but in a nutshell, I was a new mom. Experiencing things I was never really prepared for. Gaining my footing in a world I knew little about. And blogging? It’s been an outlet, a place to share, a forum to bounce ideas, a meeting place. I’ve said, done and learned a lot.


I chose the name The Anecdotal Baby. It reflected the baby I’d been blessed with and the funny stories that were becoming my new – wonderful, but sometimes overwhelming – life. 


I no longer have a baby. She’s 21 months now, a toddler. Though we are thinking of more children, she nor any other’s will be babies forever. As for the anecdotes? Life seems to be getting back to normal. I know there’ll always be the loud, overbearing stranger feeling the need to insert themselves into my parenting when – gawd forbid – Lovebug has an outburst in the middle of Target *holding my breath* and it’ll be awesome fodder for the anecdotes, but that too, won’t last forever. 


So… I’ve been toying with changing the name of the blog.


Oh, A Name Change!


A big step for this slow-to-warm-up girl. 


Changing the blog format took forever for me to do! I literally debated for almost a year.


And then there’s the fact that I’ve been putting a little more of myself out there. 


The fashion posts were probably the most difficult because I began this blog as an anonymous face, so plastering my face out there all over the web has been a huge step.


Even the recipes. A lot of love goes into them, and because I’m a little off the norm with the gluten-free/clean eating, I’ve been shy to share those.


I’ve been told my sarcasm masks my true feelings… I guess that’s true to some extent, but I’m not really one to hold back. I just think the internet is such a permanent place and I’ve struggled with everything I say (type) being in such a permanent place forever. I digress.


Now that I’m revealing more of myself in this space, the name change only seems fit to express who I am, and give me more of a story to tell than just baby stuff and the anecdotes that go with.


Are y’all on pins and needles waiting for the big name announcement? 


I must say, the friendships I’ve made here, the lessons I’ve learned, and the forgiving space this has been to tell my story means so much. 


Momma Running in Heels will be a space to share all my loves: Lovebug and family, running (literally and as in with my head cut off like a chicken!), my own take on stylish momma-fashion (and the heels I love, but sometimes have to give up when lugging a kid around), and everything in between. 


I’m making all the changes on the back end, but in the meantime I hope y’all will keep following and enjoy what’s to come.

Today Is Brought to You By…

…The letter “A”.

The last few months before “the holiday season,” when things weren’t super busy around here, Lovebug and I were doing quite a bit of crafting.

I enjoy making homemade things, and sharing that with the bug? Well, it’s awesome… mostly.

Coming up with crafts isn’t always easy and keeping her engaged is even more difficult.

I follow this awesome blog, No Time for Flash Cards, and they have a lot of great ideas. 

With the new year and a slowed-down schedule, back to crafting we go!

Not just any crafting, though. 

I want things that will help her learn too. I’ve dubbed this week the letter “A” week. 

Yes, a week brought to you by the letter “A”! 

We began with a simple letter recognition craft.

Armed with a craft idea, I knew I needed something to help engage her… besides mommy’s coaxing.

I set to Youtube and found this video to go along with our learning craft and it worked out really well.

Here’s our quick guide to teaching letter “A” recognition…

1. Draw the letter “A” on a piece of construction paper. I chose green as we were making an alligator, and I added triangles to one side for eyes. Allow your child to decorate the letter with crayons.

Never mind the cream cheese moustache and beard!

Don’t forget to take a food break!

2. Put on the letter “A” song for full engagement. You can cut out the letter and white triangles for teeth while they are deep in concentration.

3. Glue your letter to another piece of paper. If your child is big enough, he can do that along with the teeth and eyes. For the teeth, I used a glittery, spongy, sticky-back craft paper and helped her with the placing (otherwise the teeth would’ve been all over the place!) I squirted drops of glue where the eyes went and she had no problem putting those googly little guys in place.

While she did this, I talked to her about the letter A… her name begins with “A,” we looked up pictures of alligators, and so forth.

Now, you have your finished “A”lligator!

Here’s the supply list:

2 sheets of different colored construction paper

White sheet of paper (glittery, spongy, something fun for sensory learning)

 1 pair of googly eyes

crayons

scissors

Happy Crafting!

Today Is Brought to You By…

…The letter “A”.

The last few months before “the holiday season,” when things weren’t super busy around here, Lovebug and I were doing quite a bit of crafting.

I enjoy making homemade things, and sharing that with the bug? Well, it’s awesome… mostly.

Coming up with crafts isn’t always easy and keeping her engaged is even more difficult.

I follow this awesome blog, No Time for Flash Cards, and they have a lot of great ideas. 

With the new year and a slowed-down schedule, back to crafting we go!

Not just any crafting, though. 

I want things that will help her learn too. I’ve dubbed this week the letter “A” week. 

Yes, a week brought to you by the letter “A”! 

We began with a simple letter recognition craft.

Armed with a craft idea, I knew I needed something to help engage her… besides mommy’s coaxing.

I set to Youtube and found this video to go along with our learning craft and it worked out really well.

Here’s our quick guide to teaching letter “A” recognition…

1. Draw the letter “A” on a piece of construction paper. I chose green as we were making an alligator, and I added triangles to one side for eyes. Allow your child to decorate the letter with crayons.

Never mind the cream cheese moustache and beard!

Don’t forget to take a food break!

2. Put on the letter “A” song for full engagement. You can cut out the letter and white triangles for teeth while they are deep in concentration.

3. Glue your letter to another piece of paper. If your child is big enough, he can do that along with the teeth and eyes. For the teeth, I used a glittery, spongy, sticky-back craft paper and helped her with the placing (otherwise the teeth would’ve been all over the place!) I squirted drops of glue where the eyes went and she had no problem putting those googly little guys in place.

While she did this, I talked to her about the letter A… her name begins with “A,” we looked up pictures of alligators, and so forth.

Now, you have your finished “A”lligator!

Here’s the supply list:

2 sheets of different colored construction paper

White sheet of paper (glittery, spongy, something fun for sensory learning)

 1 pair of googly eyes

crayons

scissors

Happy Crafting!

January Insta-Fashion {Fashion}

As seen on Instagram the first half of this month …

Shopping comfort

OUTFIT DEETS
sweater: Kohls, leggings: Target, socks: Macy’s, boots: Rampage, necklace: Target

Date night! Dinner, shopping, and a movie…

OUTFIT DEETS
shirt: Gap, leggings: Target, scarf: Target, socks: Target, earrings: Target … (“Hi, my name is Melissa and I’m  a Tarjay-aholic”), boots: Rampage 

Wool sweater cozy with a splash of color…

OUTFIT DEETS
sweater: NY & Co, cobalt blue skinnies: Target, scarf: Target

A Sunday around the house

OUTFIT DEETS
t-shirt: Gap, skinnies: Target, moccasins: Target


Damn you, Target! Okay, for an outfit that is Target-free…

Sophisticated June Cleaver style… If Mrs. Cleaver wore pants, that is

OUTFIT DEETS
sweater: NY & Co, polka-dot blouse: Anthropologie, jeans: Vera Wang, pearls: a gift