{friday 5}

August 31, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

Friday has arrived! We did it! Barely! Ha! Weekend plans: family camping trip. Celebrating the long weekend lake side. Hope you have a good one.

5 things on my mind……

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ONE – News // Beginning next week, you’re going to hear crickets from xoxostacyb. I’m shutting down the blog for a solid week. I haven’t had a week off in a really long time. This is a good thing. Even though you wont see anything, I’ll still be working. Just behind the scenes. Come Monday, September 10th you’ll see a revamped xoxostacyb. My storage is almost maxed, which results in a huge upgrade on my end. You’ll find a fresh new look. And, recently I was accepted to ShopStyle. Similar to Like to Know it. Unfortunately, I just haven’t had the time to dig into it yet. So don’t be alarmed when you don’t get your xoxostacyb {new post} email 🙂 I’ll be back, better than ever!

sweater // denim // bandana (similar)

TWO – J.Crew Sweater // Another pre-spending freeze purchase. I was going to save this one for a rainy day, but this sweater is so good, it’s going to sell out in no time. Perfect for slowly transitioning to fall. Not pictured is the cutest pair of heeled mules I’ve ever layed eyes on. But, You’ll have to wait for those 🙂

Point Sur allover pointelle crewneck sweater – ON SALE! $35 with code: BIGSALE. This sweater is from the new Point Sur collection an LA made denim brand. All the pieces are timeless. I’m obsessed with the all-over pointelle on this sweater. Easy breezy. It comes in 4 great fall color options too! I have my eye on the Loden Green.

9″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans: Seamed Step-Hem Edition – super comfy jeans. Love the edgy detail to them. Magic pockets. Step hem. And a front seam.

Madewell Bandana – Following the {third piece rule}here with this bandana. Madewell has lots of great bandanas to pick from. This one is similar to the one I’m wearing.

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Random shit

{sh*t day}

August 30, 2018August 30, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

Just got off the phone with my Mom. Spent the whole convo bitching about my day. And it’s not even that bad. I’m just tried. Grumpy. Hungry. You know, a shit day!

My Mom added, that I’d normally go buy myself something cute. But, guess what? I CAN’T! I debated on it though. I did spend some time online “browsing.” And if I was NOT on a spending freeze, I for sure would have bought myself the Anthro mug + this workout tank + DYING for this open front sweater-blazer (that will 100% be sold out by the 19th of September) + the yellow floral sweatshirt…I die. The Old Navy bomber jacket or the Abercrombie pink bomber? That would be the real question.

So I grabbed a red bull + some dark chocolate almonds instead. And I’m happy to report, I’m feel, maybe a little better than I did an hour ago?

And it got me thinking……

What I do when I have a SHIT DAY:

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fashion · jcrew addict · Nordstrom · ootd · Outfit Details · Random shit · sale · Target

{spending freeze}

August 29, 2018August 29, 2018 xoxostacyb6 Comments

top // denim // earrings // mules

WTF is a spending freeze? Other than the worst idea I’ve ever challenged myself too! I’m going to attempt the unthinkable. I GAVE UP SHOPPING! Insert crying emoji with the green squirt gun pointed to the crying emoji. That should sum it up!

Hi, my name is Stacy and I have a shopping addiction.

What’s a spending freeze?

Basically, it’s a period of time where you don’t spend money. Obviously I can’t not spend any money. We gotta eat. Pay bills. Live. I think every person would define this differently. Like what exactly falls in the category. For me, I gave up clothing + Target + online shopping. Pretty much pausing on spending when it comes to all the extra “stuff!”

Why a spending freeze?

Remember when I gave up alcohol for 30 days? In case you missed it, I got your back: {i gave up alcohol for 30 days!!!} I’m still crazy inspired by the book Girl Go Wash Your Face. You know when you get that one book and you’re like Yassss! Give me more! Ha! She talks about giving up a food item for 30 days. She claims that after 30 days, you’ll have a different relationship with that item.

Well I’ve decided to challenge myself to give something different every 30 days for the rest of the year. Something hard! Something crazy challenging.

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Adventure · California · Cool spots · hiking · kids · Lake Tahoe · mom & me · Spring · Summertime · travel · weekend

{top 5 favorite beaches}

August 28, 2018August 28, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

We are on our final week of August….holy smokes, how did that happen? September is the craziest month (other than December) of the year, in my opinion. Everything begins. School. Sports. 4-H. Activities. Omega Nu. Faith Formation. Boosters. My head is spinning just typing all this…yikes. Already planning September blog content too.

But, before we get into fall + September. Before I start sharing transitioning to fall clothing. Before I set my fall tablescape. Before I start filling my feed with casseroles + comfort food recipes.

I HAVE to share my favorite beaches!

I’ve been writing this post since……

Last summer. I kept starting and stopping. The problem is, I had the hardest time ever narrowing down five beaches. Honestly, I could easily do 10!

I want nothing more than to ditch work early on Friday’s and head to the nearest beach. Bury my toes in the in the sand. Open an ice-cold bud light lime. Turn on some country music and lounge in the sun.

This my friends, is my paradise. Even if it’s only 2 hours from home at the Lake or the Ocean. There is absolutely nothing more relaxing and good for the soul than sitting on a beach!

While the water may not be warm enough for swimming. Toe dipping is always do-able. Seashell hunting is possible. Picnicking is always a good time. Or just sitting on your ass staring at the waves.

Here is a list of my favorite beaches, tested + approved by yours truly.

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Adventure · California · Cool spots · family · friday · hiking · kids · Lake Tahoe · mom & me · ootd · Outfit Details · Summertime · travel · weekend

{weekend notes}

August 27, 2018August 27, 2018 xoxostacyb2 Comments

Hello Monday! After the weekend we had, I woke up refreshed and ready to take on the new week. Last week almost, kinda, sorta killed me. So, a relaxed couple of days in my most favorite place was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Intentions for the Week:

load up on H2O
use all the produce I’ve been gifted
face mask + mani night with Bay ♥
write out recipe for grilled steak with corn salad
18k steps per day
finish up {things I’m loving} post
share what I’ve given up for 30 days
make grilled hasselback potatoes
pack + prep for camping trip
donate/sale 5 items from my closet
miracle grow all my plants
go through Bay’s jeans…she wont stop growing
continue being punctual AF

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

Highlights from the weekend…..

We began the weekend the best way, celebrating. A little impromptu dinner.

I used to throw the most elaborate Birthday parties. With ponies + Disney Princesses + giant bounce houses + Taylor Swift cover band + butterfly releases. You name it! For about 8 years. Spent hundreds. Invited anyone and everyone. Now I tape homemade Happy Birthday banners that were made minutes before, to the wall. But guess what? Bay thought it was the coolest shit ever. And it didn’t cost me a dime. Crazy how things change and evolve over the years of being a parent.

We did, however, get the Timothy’s Bakery funfetti birthday cake. This is one of our many birthday traditions that will never change.

Bay + GG ♥

GG testing out Bay’s new beats by dre. And I kinda love that her life alert is sticking out around her next. God, I love her!

(Photo cred: Kissey)

Bay made a saran wrap ball game filled with money + candy.

That shit got wild!

About to boomerang!

I wrapped up Bay’s lunch for school. She said #embarrassing 🙂

Cory won for most creative wrapping papper. Nugget bag with sale adds as tissue paper.

Packing list for Tahoe:

Strawberry Lodge pit stop. It’s a tradition!

Cabin, sweet cabin ♥

This place never gets old!

Lake Tahoe Pizza Co. Another Friday night tradition. We walk to pizza. It’s right around the corner from the cabin. We secretly hope we see bears too…lol.

Home of the liters of red wine. And delicious pizza! Be still my heart!

Hey bartender.

Everything tastes better at the cabin too. Like my avocado toast.

Pope beach twins!

My dress is and old J.Crew from years ago. I scored Bay’s on super sale though….

Girls’ neon ruffle dress

Toes in the water

Ass in the sand

Not a worry in the world

A cold beer in my hand

Life is good today!

When you drive through Camp Richardson and there isn’t a line to the street at the Ice Cream Parlor, you GOOOO!

They say you only get 18 summers with your kids. I call bullshit. I’m 36 and my mom still can’t shake me! Hard to see but we’re 9,100 feet in the air on the HeavenlyMountain gondola with the most beautiful view of Lake Tahoe behind us!

We decided to try something new to us. We’ve always talked about going to the top of Heavenly, but just never do it.

Lot’s of time spent suspended in the sky with views like this. It even stops sometimes. Scary AF!

You have to hop out at the observation deck. Super cool 360 views of Lake Tahoe.

And picnic areas like this.

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this week on xoxostacyb

{this week on xoxostacyb}

August 25, 2018August 24, 2018 xoxostacybLeave a comment

{weekend notes}

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Decor · diy · home · kid style · kids · Organization · Products · Summertime · Target

{bay’s bedroom makeover}

August 24, 2018August 24, 2018 xoxostacyb4 Comments

It’s Friday. Halle-fuckin-lujah! I ALWAYS share 5 things on my mind, but today I’m just flat-out too damn tired. I couldn’t even fake it if I tried. Did this week kick anyone else’s ass, like it did mine?

So, let’s just chat about this pretty room my Mom, Cory and I spruced up for the birthday girl instead……

I have to apologize in advance for the terrible pictures. We have really bad lighting and it’s pretty much impossible to get a good shot morning, noon or night. I did my best with the help of lots of filters.

Before:

This headboard is actually Bay’s baby crib. That was then converted to a toddler bed. And now a full size bed. We did remove the foot board in order to free up more room. I didn’t realize how much room it took up before. Then I did the unthinkable. I thew it away…..the foot board. I’ve been packing around all the pieces for the crib + toddler bed conversion for….12 years! Remember this time last year when we moved? My moto – just throw it away. So that’s exactly what we did. The thought gave be massive anxiety, to be completely honest. The real question – why in the hell was I packing it around anyway? I guess because it came from Goore’s Baby store. And I saw the price tag. That shit wasn’t cheap. And that, my friends, is why it’s still around. I don’t foresee ever buying different bedroom furniture for Bay.

Oh, and she reminded me that she’ll be moving out in 6 years anyway. Thanks for the friendly reminder boo!!!

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family · kids · mom & me · Summertime

{this is twelve}

August 23, 2018August 23, 2018 xoxostacyb10 Comments

Well, today is the day. The day I became a mom. The day my life changed forever.

Twelve years ago I held her for the very first time.

Crazy to think 12 years ago this beautiful little girl once lived for a short time…inside my body. The only one that will ever know what my heart sounds like from the inside.

My note to Bay on her 12th birthday:

Bay, you have become such a beautiful young lady. You are kindhearted. You are crazy sensitive. You are STRONG! You are gentle. You are so full of joy. You are fiercely determined. Everything I ever wished you would be!

I promise to always be there for you, support you, and understand who you are. You bring so much light & laughter everyday of my life. I LOVE watching you grow ♥

Love you to the moon & back 1,000 times

xoxo

Mom

My Mom sent me this song a while back and I listen to it all the time. Makes me think of Bay every time.

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fashion · jcrew addict · kid style · kids · mom & me · Nordstrom · ootd · Outfit Details · Target

{morning routine + 1st day of school #ootd’s}

August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 xoxostacyb3 Comments

denim // top // kimono // heels // earrings

The beginning of a new school year is kinda like a fresh start. New Goals. New routines to help us put our best foot forward as we head out the door. Which all make me happy…..once we work out all the kinks. HA! The begging always tends to have a rocky start, let’s be real!

That’s where planning comes into place. I’m always looking for was to prepare either the night before or first thing in the morning to make our mornings a run little smoother.

Here’s what we’ve implemented to make an EARLIER than ever start-time work in our house:

The Weekend Before:

meal plan (breakfast + lunch + dinner for the following week)
grocery shop (I do this on Thursday’s or Friday’s for the following week)
make a list of lunch main dish options (sandwich, quesadilla, lunchable or leftovers)
fill snack bins see ours on {slow cooker salsa chicken // and back to school hacks}
meal prep (wash, slice, chop and roast veggies. bake muffins – for Bay’s breakfast. prep anything that can make your life easier)
outfit plan. Have everything for each day: top, bottoms, chonies, bra, socks, shoes. EVERYTHING! (I even did this for myself this week and it’s such a time-saver)

The Night Before:

fill Hydro Flask or water bottle
make lunch main dish
fill lunch bags and leave in the fridge
don’t forget a lunch box love note 🙂
pack + clean out backpack/bags for the next day
lay out gym clothes for the morning
Bay showers at night
this year we did 1st day pictures the night before! #lifehack

The Morning:

up bright and early for GTL (gym, tan, laundry) minus the T & L…lol.
time batch. Set a timer and get as much shit as possible done (anything that needs to be cleaned, folded, loaded etc) You’d me amazed at how much can be accomplished when a timer is set!
ACV shot + shower + get ready
Bay wakes up and gets in my way…lol.
grab #ootd
throw lunches in our bags
Bay grabs a muffin, I grab a shake (going to miss my morning eggs) and out the door.

Are you still there?

Boring, I know. But, I get asked ALL THE TIME, so there you have it. Our “new” morning routine.

Now on to the good stuff….#ootd’s

dress // top // shoes // backpack // letter board

Bay’s #ootd details:

Dress – Corduroy Mini Overall Dress Thanks for voting on my instagram stories last night. We went to Forever 21 yesterday to pick up a couple of things and I spotted this dress. I begged Bay to try it on. She wasn’t too sure about it. I put it on a poll and asked if she’d wear it, if she got 30 “YES” votes and she agreed! By the time we went to check out at F21 there were already 40 “YES” votes. Thanks friends. It brings me back to the Clueless days. Totally something Cher would have rocked! But, Bay didn’t get that reference.

Top – Just a basic Target Tee shirt. Nothing fancy.

Shoes – Someone told me that in middle school you have to own a pair of Checkered Classic Slip-On Sneaker. Thanks Kissey + Tio for making sure she was fitted:) I also own a pair of these and they are one of my faves too!

Backpack – I scored this HERSCHEL SUPPLY CO. Retreat Backpack during the Nordstrom sale last month. More than I’ve ever spent on a backpack. Bay claims this will last her whole middle school carer. Maybe we should do a poll on that one too? Hmmm!

Letter Board – This Amazon Letter Board was a gift and I can’t tell you how often I pull it out. No printables needed this year. The 10 x 10 board that Bay’s holding is only $13!

And yes, I do buy myself a back to school outfit too! I think all Mama’s should get a new #ootd for the special day…Ha!

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Cooking · Food · foodie · Kid Food · kid style · kids · mom & me · Organization · Products · Random shit · Recipe · Summertime

{slow cooker salsa chicken // and back to school hacks}

August 21, 2018 xoxostacyb5 Comments

The end of summer is almost here. Can you believe it? Me either. We’ve created so many great memories over the last couple of months. Everything from camping trips. Long weekends + weeks at the cabin in Tahoe. Catching crabs on the coast. Weekend getaways to the city. All the fun must come to an end.

With school about to start, it’s time to get back into the swing of things. I thought it would be fun to do a little back to school series? What do you think? Highlighting everything from back to school shopping. Organization. Morning routines. All the things to ease back into school mode.

This morning, Bay + I had planned to do a little practice run. #fail Ha! We were going to pretended it was the first day of school. Get up early. Do all the things. But, I said F it and went to the gym, the grocery store and drank 2 cups of coffee. I decided I deserved one last chaotic-free morning.

So, tomorrow will probably be an absolute shit-show. You know what I mean?

But, one thing I got planned out is easy dinners for the week. That also create lunch leftovers. Can I get a hell yeah?

This one you’re gonna want to “pin” to your Pinterest page. Screen shot. Print it out. Whatever you do. I promise you and your family will love it. It’s my go-to, no-fail, easy 2 ingredient dinner. It’s crazy versatile too! I’ll even show you 3 meals I made out of one slow cooker recipe.

Here’s what you need:

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