Pre-kiddos, there were two items that I never bought knock-off versions of: handbags and sunglasses. In my hey day I had quite a collection of designer shades. Now the rose-tinted Diors, gold framed Versaces and gigantic black Gucci shields look comically out of style. But yet I still haven’t handed them over to the kids dress-up bin. It would feel like a betrayal to my former self. This week, Grayson put the final nail in the sunglass case when he skied across the kitchen tile wearing my last remaining (and favorite) Tom Fords on his foot. With a heavy heart I have vowed never to buy sunglasses priced over $10 until my children are fully grown. Enter the Forever21 sunglass collection…

Compare this gorgeous Tortoise frame shade from Gucci for $295 to…

Forever21′s similar frame for $5.80.

With a strong willing suspension of disbelief and the fact that these come in well under my $10 budget I think I could see myself wearing them.

Take these cat eye frames priced from Gucci at $275 and compare to…

Forever21′s version again for…$5.80. As an added bonus, these come in hot pink too. Actually, all of their sunglasses are $5.80 unless they are on sale. Then you can pick-up a pair for under 3 bucks.

Yes, Gucci’s $265 silver aviator’s are pretty hot but they look way too snappable to put anywhere near my toddlers. So…

I will opt for Forever21′s version. Maybe not as sleek but a hell of a lot easier to handle and replace when found tortured and twisted on the floor.

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment

Name: Nancy Reinhardt

Kids: 5 children: Jake 15, Zach 14, Gunnar 10, Lane 7 (girl), Boone 2

Occupation: Stay at home mom/Fitness and Health Enthusiast

Hometown: Atlanta, Ga

H&H Interview with Nancy:

1.  What are the top 3 items in your grocery cart?

Greek Yogurt, Fruit, Ground Turkey Breast

2.  What are you reading (honestly)?

Fitness Magazines

3.  What is your guilty pleasure when you get a break from the kids?

Working out and/or shopping alone…OR…My husband and I go out dancing at least twice a month.

4.  What would we be surprised to find in your purse?

Lack of makeup

5.  What is your favorite reality TV show?

Secret Millionaire

6.  What is your cocktail of choice?

When I do drink its MGD 64.

7.  What is the funniest thing your kids have said or done lately?

My daughter said she wished all 5 kids were twins and my 10 yr old son said “yeah they should all be twins of me, I’m awesome!” There is never a dull moment in my house.

8.  What is your favorite quotation?

“Guilt robs you of pleasure! Make yourself your top priority and you will be a better mother and woman for it.” – Me

9.  What songs are top on your iPod playlist right now?

Rock, Dance, and Techno songs to get me through my workouts

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

Brooke Burke! She is very honest about her parenting and lives an active lifestyle.

11. What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I’m actually fairly shy.

12. What is your secret to staying Hot & Healthy?

Keeping it real first and foremost! I eat clean, take great care of my skin, exercise at least 4 days a week, and respect my body.

*Thanks, Nancy!*

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment

Fruit + Sushi = FRUSHI! Take a look at the clever creations below. Mostly all healthy recipes that are guaranteed to make everyone in the house an instant ‘sushi’ lover. Enjoy…

Mango-Pear Sushi with Pomegranate-Blueberry Wasabi

from Gluten Free Hippie

2 cups prepared sushi rice (I added some shredded coconut into the rice pre-cooking)
1 mango, sliced into thin strips
1 pear, sliced into thin strips
1 banana, mashed
1 apple, shredded
2 peeled cucumbers

Using a vegetable peeler or cheese slicer, shave long, flat strips of cucumber, and discard the seedy insides.
Lay out the cucumber strips vertically on a bamboo mat, overlapping them to make a continuous sheet (this will replace for the usual sushi nori). Pat dry.
Press about 1/2 cup of sushi rice onto the bottom half of the cucumber sheet, making sure to press the rice all the way out to the ends. Smear out a spoon of mashed banana onto the rice, then add a few slices of pear, mango, and some of the shredded apple.
Using the bamboo mat, roll up your sushi. Try to keep all of the fillings in the center of the rice. Get it as tight as you can, then using a very sharp knife, cut into 1″ to 1 1/2″ rounds. Garnish with pickled ginger and Pomegranate Blueberry wasabi dipping sauce.

Pomegranate Blueberry Wasabi
1 tbsp. Wasabi powder (available at most Asian markets)
1/4 cup Pomegranate Blueberry juice
1 tsp. Tamari

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together with a fork until well incorporated. If you can only find wasabi paste, just double the amount of wasabi, and you’re good to go!

Peanut Butter and Fruit Sushi from the kitchn

makes 4 rolls

4 slices whole wheat bread

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 Granny Smith apple or 1 mango, sliced into 1/4-inch strips

1/4 cup raisins or 1/4 cup toasted coconut

Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

Equipment: sushi mat, plastic wrap, rolling pin or tortilla press

If you’re using apples and won’t be eating the rolls right away, toss the strips with a little lemon juice.

For the rolls, start by flattening the slices of bread. We used a tortilla press lined with plastic wrap, but a rolling pin would work fine too. Cover the sushi mat with plastic wrap. Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread, covering the whole slice. Add desired fillings horizontally on the bottom third of the slice.

Using the mat, carefully roll from the bottom of the slice, tucking the ingredients under. Pull back the mat and plastic wrap and finish rolling the bread. Use the mat to shape and secure the roll. Slice into 5-6 pieces. Repeat with remaining slices of bread.

The Sprinkle Boat

1 cup Japanese short-grain rice
2 cups water
1/3 cup caster sugar
140ml can coconut cream
strawberries, bananas and kiwifruit, sliced
hundreds and thousands of sprinkles

Rinse the rice several times and rub gently with hands in cold water or until the water runs clear. Drain well.

Place rice in a medium saucepan with water. Bring to boil, simmer covered, over a low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, stand, covered for 15 minutes at room temperature.

Meanwhile gently warm cream and sugar in a small saucepan until sugar has dissolved.

Spread rice onto a flat baking tray, using a fork gently work in cream mixture. Cool on tray until room temperature.

Using hands mould rounded tablespoons of rice mixture into oval shapes and place onto a serving plate. Top rice with slices of fruit, and sprinkle. Makes 16.

Breakfast Sushi

All you need is a whole wheat tortilla, cream cheese or your favorite nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, etc), strawberries, bananas, and/or apples. Simply spread the cream cheese or nut butter on the tortilla, place the fruit on it, roll it up and slice pieces like you would sushi.

Peepshi from Serious Eats

Okay, okay I know there is no fruit in the AMAZING sushi creation above but it is so close to Easter I just had to include it. Who can resist a Peepshi?!

1. There is no wasabi. Same goes for ginger. Peeps are sassy enough on their own.

2. Do not eat an entire Peeps roll. Unless it’s a challenge. (Honor must be kept at all costs.)

3. Use the extra Peeps bodies (there will be many) to create your own Peeps diorama!

4. Room temperature water is the ideal companion to Peepshi. Too cold and the sugar feels gritty in a bad way. Too hot and then, you’re just drinking hot water.

5. Don’t let silent Peeps screams deter you from your task. You’re a professional.

*Happy Friday*

Written by Lea Barlow • 3 Comments

A couple weeks ago I picked up this blouse from Nordstrom and am so pleased with its versatility. You can obviously pair it with the wide-leg khakis above or….

Opt to show a little leg with these shorts.

Perfect choice for a beautiful spring evening.

I have also worn it with my new Ferris Flare Hudsons.

I was a little nervous trying on wide-leg jeans because I was certain I would look horrible in this type of cut. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I love them. I need to remember the sage advice from Yo Gabba Gabba…”Try it, You’ll like it!”

Complete the look with the ‘Christie’ heel from Enzo Angiolini.

These super-sexy heels will make your legs look a mile long when paired with the shorts. Just remember to tan the gams first.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment