Month: September 2018
{friday 5}
Hello FRIDAY! And good morning from the Oregon coast.
Five things on my mind….
ONE – Portland // I woke up in Portland this morning. Cory planned + booked this trip for us all on his own. The planner in me wasn’t too sure how I felt about it at first..lol. But, we’re here and we’ve got so many fun things planned for the next couple of days. Today we’re off to Cannon Beach. Goonies never say die! It’s been on my bucket list for years and I’m so happy we’re finally checking it off the list. But first breakfast cocktails. Morning mules. Stay tuned for a shit-ton of Portland pics 🙂
TWO – Centerpiece // Sneak peek at my Fall Table. Which is coming next week. I created another pumpkin + succulent centerpiece. Back in October 2015, I shared the DIY. {friday 5} Going back 3 years on this blog is really crazy FYI! Anyway, its super simple. And I got tons of questions about it. I will go into more detail next week, but you really just need a pumpkin + succulents + moss + glue gun. That’s it!
{asian turkey + green beans}
It’s Thursday peeps. I stayed up till the butt-crack of dawn prepping + cleaning + packing. We leave for Portland today! Anyone else do that? The night before a trip, stay up all night cleaning + organizing + cooking + decorating…..absolutely anything to avoid packing? I get this crazy urge to make sure my house is clean AF. Just in case a robber breaks in, my shit looks nice and tight? Ha! No, really – I get a huge since of ease knowing everything is tidy and right where it belongs. And it’s gonna be just like that when I return. And I despise packing. #tiredaf
So, as I was editing photos I thought – let’s keep it really real today. Remember when I posted {things I’m afraid to tell you} and I admitted that “I don’t really have marble counter tops” I get DM’s ALL THE TIME about my fake marble counters and it makes me laugh out loud. I think out of all the 11 things, this is the one you guys liked the most!
Here’s what I see…..
Half drank glass of red wine, which is never more than an arm’s length away while I’m cooking.
Random spices.
Cutting boards + knives.
Props and dishes.
Marble slab my homegirl Sarah P gave me. Sometimes I use a roll of marble wrapping paper too.
And lo and behold…my beautiful tile counter tops.
Would you even follow me or make my recipe if I posted that? Ha!
{treat yourself}
Life is busy and there are never enough hours in the day. Girl, I get it. We’re all busy AF! Trying to keep up with kids, family, friends, work fitness…the struggle is real. But, you just gotta schedule a little time for yourself. No matter what it is. Do something that makes you feel good. Relax. Rejuvenated.
Self care looks different for everyone. Some think fancy spa days. For others it can be cozying up with a good book. Whatever it means to you, just do it. Treat yo self!
Here’s how we practice self-care in our home……
Typically Sunday’s are our weekly self-care day for the week. Bay and I do all the things we love the most…..
{casual + edgy + dressy}
Blazer // Denim // Grateful Dead Tee ($16)// Heels // Earrings // Sunnies // iPhone case
I’m all about an eclectic look. Putting some of my favorite classic pieces together. Mixing and matching different styles to come up with something new + unexpected. I like to call this one casual with a touch of dressy and a side of edge. Ha. A little business mixed with a little casual. Kinda reminds me of my {the mullet} #ootd from November 2016!
During my {spending freeze} (aka the worst 30-days ever) I was challenged to create new outfits with things I already had. So, I pulled out all the classic, timeless pieces that I wear over and over. J.Crew Blazer. Levis. Heels. Then find a way to jazz it up into something new + fun without spending money.
Ladies, grab all your tanks + graphic tee’s! Mix and match them with cardigans + blazers. It’s such a great way to incorporate summery items while transitioning to fall.
Would you rock something like this?
Blazer // Denim // Grateful Dead Tee ($16)// Heels // Earrings // Sunnies // iPhone case
All the images below are “clickable” Click on item and it will direct you to the website to view + purchase. I’m still learning so much. So, let me know if this is helpful!
{weekend notes}
The weeks are long and the weekends short. Am I right? Never enough time. Although the weekend was gone in a hot one, it was a damn good one. Bay’s first middle school dance. She looked so pretty. Double date with the Truitts…that ended in a girls against boys basketball game. Apple picking. Really good margaritas. Little Mermaid in Carmel. And prepping for the week ahead. Thanks Hostert’s for showing us a good time!
Intentions for the Week:
- Set a pretty fall table
- Pack for Portland
- Watch Bay play volleyball
- Order Christmas cards before my promo codes expire
- Master pumpkin pancakes
- Library for new reads + returns
- Shoot new #ootd’s
- Mani’s + face masks with Bay
- Figure out the Inxtax share printer
- 15,000 steps per day
- Stay focused!
Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}
Highlights from the weekend…….
And just like that, I dropped Bay off at her first middle school dance. Is it just me or does she look 15 here? OMG!!
Some of the girls.
While Bay did the Kiki, we went on a double date with the Truitt’s. It was nice change to get out with no kids and catch up.
We peeked in the window at the new Avila Winters. Oh man, you guys need to go ASAP!
Saturday morning treats at High Voltage Donuts. We made a pit stop on our way to Salinas to try out the ever so famous baked donuts.
1 dozen to go.
My fave: GF almond joy
Bay’s fave: chocolate with M&M’s
The bacon maple was a runner-up. Along with the circus cookie. Never trued the flaming hot…totally forgot.
Bay is in sweet tooth heaven.
Saturday was the official First Day of Fall!
So we did the only logical thing…..
Apple picking. The fallest fall thing to do 🙂 Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville is pretty bad ass. We spent the afternoon walking though the apple orchards.
J.Crew Scoopneck henley shirt // Jeans // Booties // Scarf
My J.Crew package came just in the nick of time. This scoopneck henley shirt it EVERYTHING. I’ll share more this week, but get one before they sell out! It comes in white, burgundy and black!
I’d steal this kid and take her home!
Apple hunting
Olallieberry Ice Cream was the highlight for the adults. Apple slushies were the kids pick.
Fun time at Gizdich Ranch with these chicks. #girlsrule
hella kids & hella apples.
I’d say we were close to 115 lbs of apples between all these girls. Haha!
Luckily we stopped for margs at Jalisco first! Cheers!
{this week on xoxostacyb}
{friday 5}
Okay, so this week was weird. But, I woke up this morning and instead of thinking how not-so-good it was. I started thinking of all the good things that happened. To me. Around me. With me. And I gotta say. It wasn’t really all that weird/bad after all. I could list at least 5 things right now. What ONE good thing that made you smile this week? Mine – watching my daughter spot me at her volleyball game Tuesday afternoon. She was scanning the bleachers. I could tell she was looking for me. Our eyes met and she shot me the biggest smile ever. Happy that I’m able to sneak out of work early to be there ♥
Weekend plans: This evening we’re headed downtown on a double date with some friends. Gonna drink some beerz, maybe some chard. Who knows…I’m still debating on my drink choice for the night. BIG decisions people, big decisions! Bay’s going to her first middle school dance…I die! The rest of the weekend we’re spending with our favorite Hostert girls in Salinas. Apple pickin’ (photo ops + all the apple recipes to come) and an outdoor play in Carmel are on the agenda. Probably going to drink too much wine and talk poor Nicole’s ear off too. But, she loves me so it’s okay.
ONE – Fall color scheme // Orange + white + green. Brought to you by good ol’ Trader Joe’s. You guys, they have the best pumpkins. Gotta give Sarah P a shout out for this one. I’ve been waiting patiently for the TJ’s pumpkin patch to arrive. I even called Monday and Tuesday. Fall arrived on Wednesday. Runnnn don’t walk and get all the things ASAP. They sell out so quick. I’m going back today to pick up a leaf wreath and pumpkin pancake mix. Back to the colors…this is what I’ll be sticking with for my front porch and dining room table. Still working on it, but hopefully I can share all the details next week!
TWO – Madewell Sale // Madewell rarely has a sale and they just extended the sale one more day. Today is the last day to scoop up some great pieces.
Use code: HEARTEYES for 25% off!
{i gave up shopping for 30 days…kinda}
Shop everything here: Garment Rack + details
Sorry for the bit of radio silence yesterday, it has been a crazy week. I worked on this post and just flat-out ran out of time. Some posts take a hell of a lot longer to write than others.
Today is the day. The day I’ve been looking forward to for 30 days. Can you guess why?
My spending freeze has come to an end!!!
You can read more about my {spending freeze} here.
Yesterday, actually. (Remember this post is a day late)
I had originally planned to spend my beloved lunch break at the one, the only, Target. I have been in the store ONCE in the last 30-days. And it was only to pick up an order for Bay. Not me.
But, my homegirl Sarah P posted that Trader Joe’s FINALLY got their pumpkins. Detour! I ended up spending an entire hour stacking pumpkins and sending Sarah pictures. Because my indecisive ass can’t make big decisions like this alone.
Proof – Just like Rachel Hollis preaches, when you give something up for 30 days, your relationship with said item, forever changes. I truly believe this! Not like I’m never going to shop again. But, it wasn’t the first thing I did. Which is shocking as shit!
Now today, shit. Today is a different story. Once I had time to really gather ALL THE THINGS that I’ve had my eye one, I pulled the trigger on another J.Crew order. Ha!
On Monday, August 20th the hardest 30-days even began. I kept a little journal…..
I’m not going to lie. I cheated a littttle bit. In my defense, I had NO fucking clue how hard not shopping would actually be. I mean, I gave up booze for 30-days. So, this should be cake, right? NEGATIVE!
August 20th – What the FUCK Madewell? Promo codes on my first day of a shopping freeze? Alex called and rubbed it in a little. It burned..lol.
{meal prep tips + greek salad}
Greek salad meal prep for a week! 4 days to be exact. Because, even I, a creature of habit. One that can eat the same thing over and over. Can only do 4 solid days before I need something new up in the mix. Ha!
Before we get to the recipe, I’m going to answer a question I get ALL THE TIME. Meal prep. Who? What? How?
I know so many people who stop by the grocery store on their way home from work to grab that evenings dinner. Personally that gives me the chills. I despise going to the grocery store. Well, other than Trader Joe’s. So, I make it a once a week thing. Which could give you the chills…lol. With a little practice and some strategy, I promise you can do this too. It’s such a life/time saver!
Tips for easy meal-prep
1 – Pull out your calendar. Take a peek at the week ahead. Realistically, how many days will you be home for dinner. Meetings, sports, kids activities, happy hours all play into this. My goal is to cook at least 3 of the weeknights. And plan for leftovers the nights I wont have time. Picking recipes that can double duty. Like, cook extra chicken one night for dinner. Make soup or chop up extra chicken for salads the next night. I know that if I have a meeting on a Tuesday night, I need to:
A.) prep or cook the night before.
B.) plan something super simple.
C.) pick up dinner somewhere.
2 – Pick one day a week to decide on actual meals. Every Wednesday I do my meal plan for the following week. Now that you’ve figured out how many meals you need to plan for the upcoming week. Flip thought magazines. Scroll through pinterest. Pull out all your fave cookbooks. Just pick a day and make it happen. I actually enjoy this part! Then write it out in the notes on your phone.
Monday – chicken + rice + veggies
Tuesday – chicken tacos + green salad
etc…