I used to HATE packing lunches, but that has all changed. I really should get a job as a spokesperson for these Planetboxes, because they’ve changed my life (or at least the time I spend packing lunches in the morning). I think the biggest pre-Planetbox frustration was digging through our cabinet of jumbled plastic containers and never finding the right size or the matching lid. Plus, I was using hundreds of plastic baggies and spending plenty of money on single serve applesauce pouches, cheese crackers, etc.

Now, I open up these stainless steel Planetboxes, fill up the compartments, and pop them into their adorable containers with an ice pack. The kids seem to like them too, because the lunch boxes usually come home empty or nearly empty. I imagine they keep the food in better shape since everything isn’t getting smooshed. Then I pop off the magnets that go on the outside of the box, and put them in the dishwasher. Easy peasy.

You can buy them directly from Planetbox or from Pottery Barn Kids. I bought mine from PBK because I liked the designs a lot better. I had been admiring these for years, but went ahead and bought them when they went on sale (which they still are — so I recommend getting them now before the sale ends!). For me, these are well worth the price (and I’ll probably end up saving as much since I no longer buy the single serve lunch items, and won’t be tearing through boxes of Ziplocks on a regular basis.) I am packing healthier lunches now too, and even better — the kids are eating them!

I added photos and descriptions of many packed Planetbox lunches on my Facebook page. (Yes, my kids think I am crazy for taking a photo of their lunch every day.) Check it out, and I invite you to share your packed lunch photos too!

Here’s what the Planetboxes look like on the outside:

You know it’s going to be a good day when an ice cold package of Tillamook ice cream and yogurt arrives on your doorstep. Yep, the company famous for its delicious Oregon-made cheese has expanded their dairy offerings and they were kind enough to send me samples to try. (Yes, I so appreciate the perks of being a blogger — especially on days when the big brown truck pulls up and brings big boxes of deliciousness like this!)

It didn’t take us long to dig into the ice cream. First up, Tillamook Mudslide — rich chocolate ice cream with chocolate fudge pieces and a thick fudge ripple. Okay, the fudge chunks in this ice cream are no joke. They are HUGE, and there are plenty of them. You know when you get a spoon and think– oh, I’m just going to have a spoonful, but then you start chasing around the hunks of chocolate, eating a bite, grabbing another spoon (if you’re being good and not double-dipping) and before you know it, you’re putting your third or fourth spoon in the dishwasher? Yeah – that was me.

Chocolate pieces as big as my thumb. And I found even bigger ones after I snapped this pic. My husband, the health nut who does his own combo of P90X and Insanity EVERY evening and rarely indulges in sweet treats asked me to dish him a small scoop– and said this was some of the best chocolate ice cream he’s ever had.

Next I’m going to blend some up with frozen bananas and milk to make sweet summer shakes.

Tillamook ice cream comes in dozens of flavors, and is now available in Arizona!

Visit Tillamook’s Where To Buy app and enter your zip code to find out where you can find Tillamook ice cream at a store near you!

I opened up the jcpenney catalog I got in the mail today and was blown away! Normally, their catalog has so much neon, it sort of hurts my eyes. This time, I was drooling over all the mid century modern style furniture! First, they have a new line from British designer Sir Terence Conran called Design by Conran. I have a bit of an obsession with all things “MCM”, so I flipped for these pieces:

* jcpenney is offering free online shipping on orders over $50 at jcp.com, plus an extra 15% off or extra 20% off orders over $100 with code 2STYLE at checkout. This offer is valid 6.10-6.13.

Design by Conran Monk Chair ($1,125 $675 Sale, jcpenney)  — I wouldn’t mind replacing the slipcovered IKEA chair in my bedroom with this beauty.

Design by Conran Skipper Stool ($125 $75, jcpenney) — no idea what I’d do with this little stool, but it sure is cute!

Design by Conran Lucina Table Lamp ($175 $122 Sale, jcpenney) — I’m a sucker for the crisp white/wood combo. This is actually very similar to the cork lamp with white drum shade I have on my desk.

Design by Conran Minimus Side Table ($395 $235 Sale, jcpenney) — What a great knock-off of the tulip table.

Design by Conran Heath Modular Sectional ($4,245 $2,545 Sale, jcpenney) — I can picture movie night on this sofa already.

As if that weren’t tempting enough. Now jcpenney also has a line from Jonathan Adler called Happy Chic, that includes even more mid century modern goodness:

Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Bleecker Leather Accent Chair ($,2295 $1,375 Sale, jcpenney) — This would meet my love of mid century button tufted style, and my husband’s requirement that our furniture be comfortable!

Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Bleecker 63″ TV Cabinet ($1,195 $715 Sale, jcpenney) — love those sexy legs.

Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Glass Globe Ceiling Light Fixture ($90 $54 Sale, jcpenney) — There’s a  house in our neighborhood with one of these hanging right over their front door, and it has such a modern retro vibe!

Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Bleecker 80″ Sofa ($2.795 $1,675 Sale, jcpenney) — Our new dog is adorable, but her little paws have made a mess of our couch. I could Scotchguard this one!

I can’t take it! So much to want. I know where I’m going to drag my husband this weekend — if not to buy, then at least to dream.

A few years ago, I was thrilled to realize that a size 7 in adult women’s shoes was a size 5 in kids shoes. Hello Kids Keens! Seriously, the kids version is pretty much the same product (sometimes cuter) for a lot less. Then today, I was at the Gap looking at their maxi dresses. I’m not a maxi size woman. I like to think I’m 5’3″, but I may be stretching things a little. So when I spotted this adorable maxi dress at Gap Kids in XXL (size 14-16), I thought “What the heck. I’ll try it on.” Well what do you know? It fit perfectly! Arm holes and everything. So then I had to go back and check out all the girls dresses. I found another one on the sale rack for just $9.99! So the next time you’re shopping for the kids, go ahead and take a peek at the girls section. You might be surprised too!

Striped maxi dress ($27, Gap Kids)

Photo credit: mer mag

As the days get hotter, and school days become numbered, I’m starting to think about summer. I came across this fabulous idea for Summer Fun Jars from the blog mer mag. Each week, the kids get to pick out one activity from the Let’s Go, Let’s Make and Let’s Eat jars — then they do all three that week. Instead of just filling the jar with regular old scrap of paper, I love the idea Merilee has of printing out pages of pins from Pinterest, then cutting them up and filling up decorated pickle jars. Because what’s more fun for a kid — reading “make mint brownies” or picking a photo like this:

photo credit: mer mag

Need ideas on places to go, things to do and food to eat? Follow me on Pinterest!

Looking for an easy kid breakfast that’s big on protein and low on sugar? Our most consumed breakfast these days is Greek yogurt parfait. It’s simple to whip up, the kids love it, and it delivers a big dose of protein. Here’s how to make your own:

1. Pour frozen 1/2 C to 1C berries into a bowl. We like Rader Farms Nature’s Three Berries blend from Costco. (Also, I am in LOVE with these bowls from Crate and Barrel. Food really does taste better out of them.)

2. Microwave frozen berries for about 30 seconds, then top with a big dollop of nonfat plain Fage Greek yogurt and drizzle with honey.

3. Stir it all up until it is a lovely pink color.

4. Sprinkle granola or cereal on top. I used the new Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch. It’s made with granola, Greek yogurt, whole grain flakes and honey. (Post sent me a box to try, so I was happy to use it as a topping in our parfaits.) It has 13 grams of sugar in one cup, so I use it sparingly, but even a little adds a nice sweet crunch.

5. If you have fresh berries in the fridge, sprinkle those on top too. You can never have too many berries, right?

6. Grab a spoon and serve!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day! I know the “fun finds” have been a little sparse lately. Thankfully it’s because I’ve been super busy with freelance writing assignments and even a few exciting work trips (which I will fill you in on later).

For now, I wanted to let you know Hanna Andersson is having their Best of Summer Sale, with dresses starting at $19 and tees and shorts starting at $16. And really, is there anything easier to dress your little girl in than a soft summer dress? They slip on and off in seconds, and will keep her cool during the long hot summer days.

Shop your heart out here.

In honor of yesterday’s unexpected downpour, I’m happy to share my latest contribution to Houzz.com. It’s all about raindrop-inspired art and accessories for your home.

I found an easy recipe for healthy muffins that are perfect for breakfast. They’re packed with protein from greek yogurt and eggs and loaded with oaty fiber. Plus, they have no flour, oil or butter. I love that you put all the ingredients straight into the blender – no messy bowls to wash. Here’s my modified recipe, inspired by this oatmeal banana breakfast muffin recipe.

Banana Oat Breakfast Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups of rolled oats
• 1 cup plain fat free Fage greek yogurt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 ripe bananas
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray or line with paper liners.
2. Put all ingredients except oats and chocolate chips into the blender and blend until smooth.
3. Add oats one cup at a time, blending in between.
4. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Pour batter into muffin tins and bake 15-20 minutes.
6. Eat hot!
7. Refrigerate extras and warm up in microwave or toaster for easy weekday breakfasts.