{friday 5}

November 30, 2018November 30, 2018 xoxostacybLeave a comment

Happy frickin Friday! I haven’t been this excited about Friday…since last Friday! Tomorrow is December 1st! Which means 26 days till Christmas. But, doesn’t it kinda feel like we’ve been Christmasing already for months? I’m nowhere even close to ready though…Ha!

Weekend plans: Bay’s having some homies for a sleepover, which means pizza 🙂 Ha! Who’s going to the Dicken’s In the Valley Home Tour? I can’t wait to see all the homes, especially the three Karen of Serendipity Boutique decorated. Got a little sneak peek last week, but can’t wait to see them with all the finishing touches. Fingers crossed the rain holds off for a bit Saturday evening so we can check out the Winter’s Tractor Parade. Other than that, relaxing and finishing up our Christmas decor. I still have yet to put any ornaments on my tree….well talk more about that below.

5 things on my mind…..

ONE – Naked Tree // Would it be bad if I left my tree naked? So far I’ve got about 2,000 little white lights on our tree. Every morning I come down the stairs and plug-in the lights. Sit back take it all in. Having a tree in your home is crazy fucking magical. I don’t care how old you are. I’m struggling with the thought of over crowding the beauty of the simple tree with our 623 ornaments. Ha! To be completely honest, I just want to start all over with our Christmas decor (unfortunately that aint happening). I’m craving a super minimal Christmas this year. We’ll see how long I can put off ornaments. I did buy new Pottery Barn Ornament Hooks, so many I’ll throw on a few?

TWO – 1958 McCall’s Magazine // 129 Ways To Get A Husband. This is 100% not any tips or advice I think anyone should follow. Just absolutely historical to read. To think, a women possible wrote this in the 50’s. It straight up kills me….for example:

#9 “sit on a park bench and feed the pigeons” – get shit on and hope some dude wants to talk to you?

#16 “volunteer for jury duty” – what in the actual fuck? Maybe you can land a convict?

#58 “get a sunburn” – I guess it’s better than being pasty? Really? A Sunburn? I guess you’ll be super “hot” then?

Click here: And read all 129 (perfectly not-normal) Ways to Get A Husband!

Floral-Print Georgette Swing Blouse

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Cooking · Food · foodie · Healthy · Recipe

{turkey + loaded veggie chili}

November 29, 2018 xoxostacybLeave a comment

Anyone else straight up craving all the greens + veggies? After over indulging (in every way possible) last week, I’m so ready to get back on track. I was a no limit solider. All the desserts. All the leftovers. All the wine. I even stole some cookie dough Bay was hiding in the fridge. Shhhh! I won’t even dare step on the scale for a while…lol. But, I was living my best life #YOLO

Now I’m like, Bring on the soups + salads! STAT!

This chili is healthy + hearty + comforting. Loaded with veggies.

Oh and I didn’t mentions, this chili is ready in under 30 minutes! Makes lots of leftovers. I love to serve it over baked potatoes or sweet potatoes day two. I’ve been known to make a pretty mean chili dog with this recipe too!

The veggie chopping is the most time-consuming. I typically do all my chopping the night before. And I swear by this Vidalia Chop Wizard

I use this for everything. I’m kinda of a freak and I really, really dig all my veggies to be uniform in soups. Ha! I can’t believe I just admitted that. It’s super easy + dishwasher safe….whoop whoop!

I used to call this the Weight Watchers Chili 1 Point Chili. Did I ever tell you guys I used to be a Weight Watcher? I lost 20 lbs using the program when Bay was 6 months old. Even became a lifetime member!

Anyway, they change the points program so often that I can’t keep up of this recipe still falls under the 1 point per serving range.

Top it with some sour cream + shredded cheese and your kids will never know it’s basically a veggie soup.

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fashion · Holiday Whore · Holidays · jcrew addict · kid style · kids · mom & me · old navy · ootd · Outfit Details · Products · sale · ShopStyle

{cyber wednesday?}

November 28, 2018 xoxostacybLeave a comment

Top // Denim // Mules(similar)// Necklace

Happy Hump Day/Cyber Wednesday. Since when did Black Friday + Cyber Monday sales stretch through Wednesday? NO complaining over here…that’s for sure. Here’s to hoping this becomes a trend. Because, I’m fully taking advantage of the 30-40% off at J.Crew right now.

Today I’m sharing this simple crisp white + denim number along with some super sale items that I’ve got my eye on right now.

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Crafting · Decor · diy · Holiday Whore · Holidays · home · kid style · kids · mom & me · Products · Target

{bay’s christmas bedroom}

November 27, 2018November 27, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

{bay’s bedroom makeover}

May you never be too grown to search the skies on Christmas Eve ♥

Santa Pillow

The struggle is real when you’ve got a tween. Does Elf On The Damn Shelf even come to our house this year? Or do you donate her? Pack her up in storage? I’ve hinted about the Elf and haven’t really gotten a response.

Trying to come up with new age appropriate traditions. No more Polar Express. Letters To Santa. Pictures on Santa’s lap. So, what to do to continuing making the season extra magical?

Felt Mistletoe // Pottery Barn Stocking (Bay’s is 12 years old)

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Adventure · backpacking · California · Cool spots · family · Gift Guide · hiking · Holiday Whore · Holidays · kids · Lake Tahoe · mom & me · Products · ShopStyle · travel

{weekend notes}

November 26, 2018December 3, 2018 xoxostacyb4 Comments

Happy Cyber Monday friends. This is a sale I can get behind! It doesn’t require going anywhere. No lines. A shit-ton of good deals. All from the comfort of your own home….of office, in my case. Believe it or not, I didn’t make a single purchase on Black Friday. I probably would have, had we not been headed to Tahoe for the weekend. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise? Ha!

Is anyone else insanely happy that we still have 1 more week till December?!?! Just a little more time till the festivities really hit! I’m going to embrace this week to the fullest. We are going to get all the rest of our Christmas decor up tonight. Hoping to get it all on the blog next week.

Intentions for the Week:

Get in 15,000 steps per day…No matter what – I lost my fitbit 🙁
Pick up Trader Joe’s garland. How much garland is too much? Asking for a friend! – Gimme all the garland. I’ve gone the extra mile to take all the steps to care for it too
Hydrate (god knows I drank wayyy too much wine over the weekend) – Kinda sorta did a good job….till Thursday.
Find all the best Cyber Monday deals – Did anyone score an awesome deal? Tell me all about it.
Work on all the outdoor lights + garland – They’re up. Now to get our front porch tree lit up!
Dinner + drinks to celebrate Robin – Always a good time!!!
Get my pearly whites polished up – Bay + I are cavity free still
Share Bay’s Christmas bedroom decor – Thanks for all the love on Bay’s room ♥
Transfer dates to 2019 calendar – Didn’t even crack open the 2019!!
Dickens in the Valley Home Tour – Gorgeous homes….crazy inspired!!!
Make turkey noodle soup with our Thanksgiving carcass (I hate that word FYI) – It’s happening TONIGHT!

Let’s chat Cyber Monday first! These are a few of my favorite things….and a couple are on my list:

Click on any of the images below to shop…..

Couple other items that caught my eye today on Amazon…..

Ring Video Doorbell 2 with Echo Dot combo // AncestryDNA: Genetic Testing Ethnicity

Highlights from the weekend…..

Thanksgiving!!

“kid wine” cheers at the kids table!

Quick photo shoot with Gram + Papa ♥

The olive lover #olivejuice

Real men wear women’s aprons to carve the turkey!

I re-set my table…AGAIN! After the rotten pumpkin fiasco.

My mom collected the most beautiful leaves while we were camping at Casini Ranch the other weekend. These clipping lying across the table are the ones we stole off the side of the road. Festive AF! And free!

This is what our plates looked like. Although, we’re all eating turkey. I feel like everyone’s plate I saw on the ‘gram looked totally different. And I LOVED hearing about the weird menu item each family serves. Our’s is pretzel jello salad…yummm.

Friday morning we hit the road for Tahoe. With a pit stop in Placerville to pick up tree permits.

We picked up our permit at the Forest Supervisor’s Office: 3034 Briw Road. Placerville, CA 95667. Phone number: (530) 622-5061.

I called to confirm today and they do still have tree permits available. They are first come first serve. $10 cash each. 2 Tree permits per family.

Once you purchase your permit you’ll get the orange permits that you attach to the tree(s). And a map showing you all the spot for tree cutting.

Here’s more info on tree permits: Eldorado National Forest Christmas Tree Permits

Pit stop at Strawberry Lodge. It was raining + snowing.

My girl all bundled up…in my jacket…lol! The struggle is real!!!

Just a little snow….

Dressing the cabin up for the Holidays ♥

Avocado toast is my weekend jam #basic

I used the leftover Thanksgiving ham. Bomb.com

We hit the Fallen Leaf Lake trail from the campground. Such a pretty trail. Great for kids too!

Just give me all the snowy trails.

Then you get to this. I mean, could it have been a more beautiful day? The sky. The mountains. The lake. I can’t pick which one I like the most.

My people ♥

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blogger · fashion · friday · Gift Guide · Holiday Gift Guide · Holiday Whore · Holidays · jcrew addict · Nordstrom · old navy · ootd · Outfit Details · Products · sale · ShopStyle

{black friday // best sales}

November 23, 2018 xoxostacybLeave a comment

I’ve rounded up all the top sales + promo codes to get you the best bang for your buck! You know I’m a sucker for a good deal!

And I want to thank you all who purchase items from my blog + links I provide. I make a very small commission which keeps me on the hunt for ALL THE THINGS to share with you ❤️ happy shopping!

Abercrombie: 50% off entire store for “club members” Kids 40% off. FREE SHIPPING on all orders! Become a club member and get $10 off!

American Eagle: 40% off + FREE SHIPPING. Flannels are $25 too!

Anthropologie: 30% off!!

Express: 50% off everything + FREE SHIPPING!

Free People: 50% off select items + FREE SHIPPING!

GAP: 50% off everything! Use code: BLKFRIDAY

J.Crew: 40% off! Use code: TOGETHER

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Bay Bakes · Cooking · Crafting · Decor · diy · fall · family · Food · foodie · Holiday Whore · Holidays · kids · Products · Pumpkin · Recipe · Table Setting

{thanksgiving kids table // graham cracker crust pumpkin pie}

November 21, 2018November 21, 2018 xoxostacybLeave a comment

My dining room table isn’t large enough accommodate the whole fam-bam. Someday when I grow up (I say this all the time..Ha) I’ll have a table that can seat an army! Until then, we shall set up the kids table.

Not just a boring kids table though. A fun + entertaining table is key. They stay busy = you get to enjoy your wine + pie with a little peace…HA! Love them to death, but let’s be real.

I’m also sharing my graham cracker crust pumpkin pie. Which I’m really sad to announce…I can’t take the credit for inventing. Bobby Flay patented it about 8 fucking years ago. What the hell. As soon as you think you’re onto something BOMB. Google it and it’s already been done!

Which isn’t always the worst thing. I honestly had NO idea how long to bake. So I followed Bobby’s baking directions, which gave me the perfectly set pies!

And how about this kids table. The activity table-cloth is so perfect. And the leaves. My Mom collected each one of them at Casini Ranch while camping last weekend. They have the most gorgeous trees that were dropping these giant leaves. Thanks Mom!

I kept it simple using everything I had on-hand. Including the used to be white mini pumpkins that are now yellow-ish. I did buy them in September, so I should stop bitching. Coloring crayons…we’ve all got some lying around. Poured some Trader Joe’s chocolate covered sunflower seeds…mainly for the color factor. But, for snacking too!

This color on activity tablecloth is from the one, the only….Target. There is a word search for the older kids. A pumpkin + turkey maze. Even a spot to write what they are Thankful for! Love it so much. It completed the kids table.

Color In Thanksgiving Tablecloth $3.50 at Target

Just bring on the turkey…we’re all set over here!

Here are some of the recipes we will be enjoying for Turkey day tomorrow:

Cory has our Branigan’s Turkey in brine as I type. He’s on turkey duty and will be cooking it in an air fryer. I’ll be sure to snap some pictures tomorrow.

Pioneer Women Creamy Mashed Potatoes the main attraction, if you ask me!

I’ve been making these Stuffing Balls for years. I found the recipe in one of the old Kraft Magazines that used to come out monthly. Do they still do that? I sub the ground pork for good ol Jimmy Dean sausage.

My Mom will always be in charge of the gravy. It’s the one thing that I just can’t get down with on the Thanksgiving menu. Honestly I can’t even make it without wanting to gag. Bay’s the same.

Her Pretzel Jello Salad (similar to this one) is probably our “weirdest” side. Poop-A-Doop, my late Grandfather LOVED this salad. Really, it’s not even a salad. It’s a layer of pretzels + sugar + butter. With a cream cheese center and strawberries + jello on top. So random, so good!

Kissey will forever bring her favorite side, Campbell’s Classic Green Bean Casserole. She makes it the BEST!!!

Along with canned cranberry (the only way to serve it). With lots of cans of whole olives to stick on our fingers.

Mom makes homemade rolls that are to die for too!

And for dessert, my Mom is trying a new recipe for mini pecan pies and I’ll be serving my, I mean Bobby Flay’s Graham Cracker Crust Pumpkin Pie (recipe below) with homemade whipped cream (made by Bay)

What’s on your menu? I love hearing about families one random, kinda weird, side dish they can’t have Thanksgiving without.

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fall · fashion · Holiday Whore · Holidays · jcrew addict · Nordstrom · old navy · ootd · Outfit Details · sale · ShopStyle

{what to wear to thanksgiving}

November 20, 2018 xoxostacybLeave a comment

Two days till the biggest cheat day of the year…HA!

Therefore I’m opting for stylish yet comfortable. You know, so that you don’t have to worry about eating that second piece of pie.

Speaking of pie, I’m baking a new one tonight. Pumpkin pie in a graham cracker crust? Raise your hand if you LOVE graham cracker crust too! I have NO idea if it’s going to be good. So, I’m making 2. One for tonight to test and one for thanksgiving. Don’t even trip, I’m gonna tell you all about it!

I put together two Turkey day looks that I would actually wear. I keep seeing chicks posting dresses. Do people really wear dresses on Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Look #1

The Canadian Tux Pie Hider //

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California · Camping · Cool spots · family · fashion · friends · hiking · kids · ootd · Outfit Details · Pumpkin · ShopStyle · Table Setting · weekend

{weekend notes}

November 19, 2018November 19, 2018 xoxostacybLeave a comment

Happy Monday Friends! Not sure what it is about today, but it feels so festive. I guess we are officially kicking of the first week of the Holidays!!! I’m at work though…ha! Just knowing we’re going to finish off the week with turkey + pie…lots of shopping! Oh, and we’re headed to Tahoe to cut down our tree this year. Stay tuned, we’ve never done this before. I’m sure it will be a shit-show. I have my heart set on a couple of trees this year. I know, crazy. Considering I live in a tiny ass condo!

Okay, hold on tight, this week is gonna be over before you know it!

Intentions for the Week:

work on some gift guides
cut down out Christmas tree(s)
american eagle try-on
set a cute kids Thanksgiving table
drink more water than chardonnay…this is gonna be a hard one!
tackle outdoor Christmas decor
a new spin on the classic pumpkin pie
host Thanksgiving
head to the cabin ♥

And here’s a little recap of some of the highlights from our weekend….

When you finally get to #chardsohard with your homegirl Nikki!

“make us look super hot and super skinny please!” HA! It’s been the saying for years now!

We celebrated this babe turning the big 4-0! Lookin hot AF + young AF! And still a damn good time!

Us ♥

You guys were blowin me up about my sweatshirt. It’s full-price, which I rarely do…but I made an exception for this one. It’s perfect for that, I wanna go out, but I also wanna be cozy AF! This is it my friends! Ha! Linked some other leopard-dot print items from Madewell too!

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Gossip · health · Products · Random shit

{i shaved my face and you should too}

November 15, 2018 xoxostacyb5 Comments

Teeth Whitening // Rose Water // Facial Razor // Jade Roller // Marble Tray

I shaved my face last night. But, I’ve decided I’m going to say I tried dermaplaning instead. As soon as the words “shaved” and “my face” are said, peeps instantly freak the fuck out. Ha! It’s okay, I kinda thought the same thing too. Then I did some research. I’m not going to grow a beard!

I really, really wanted to try and video a portion of it. But, once I had the razor in my hand, decided safety first and put the phone down. lol!

Just like all the fads that come out. Charcoal teeth whitening. Jade rolling. Rosewater spray. Cory always says, “do you have to try everything?”

Yes, of course I do! #YOLO

I’m what they call a sucker. You tell this $10 conatiner of shit is gonna make me skinny or pretty…SOLD!

I’m also too cheap to pay for Amazon Prime, so I have to ask Cory to purchase all my random shit for me. Ha! Hence, why he’s concerned that I’m a sucker for trends.

Let’s chat about the fads that I’ve tried…..

Facial Razor // We have to start with this one. I dermaplaned my face last night. I read so many reviews. Amazon alone has over 1,800. You guys would straight up DIE if you saw all the peach fuzz and dead skin that came off that tiny little razor. So disgusting. I didn’t realize what a hairy bitch I was. But, the results – I’m a believer. My face is so, so smooth. My makeup went on so incredibly smooth this morning. Even a little glow! It’s like an exfoliation at a deeper level. All in the comfort of your very own bathroom. And it only costs $5. I will continue doing this procedure. Maybe weekly?

Just trust me on this one, k?

This is the video I watched: LISTEN UP GIRLFRIEND | SHAVE YOUR FACE

What is dermaplaning?

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