Category Archives: Bay Bakes

{no churn circus animal cookie ice cream}

Posted in Bay Bakes, Food, foodie, Kid Food, kid style, kids, Kitchen, mom & me, Recipe, Summertime by

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I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.  Especailly with these tripple digit temps we’ve been gatting!

Oh, and did you know this Sunday is National Ice Cream Day?  Can I get a hell yeah!

This easy ice cream will be a hit with your kids!  And the 30 and over crowd too 🙂  Promice!  Peeps wont believe you whipped this up in no time at all + without an ice cream maker.

Just a couple of simple ingredients.  Freeze overnight.  Scoop + serve!  Done!

For starters – If you don’t LOVE Mother’s Circus Animal Cookies, then we can’t be friends!

To be completely honest, you could legit add any cookies pieces to this reicpe and it would work great.  If oreos are your jam, add em!

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{diy flag luminaries + fruit pizza}

Posted in Bay Bakes, Cooking, Crafting, diy, Food, foodie, Holiday Whore, Holidays, Kid Food, kids, mom & me, Summertime by

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

Enjoy your family + friends today!

If you’re looking for a fun + festive little craft to make with your kiddos, I’ve got it!  Flag luminaries!

Bay + I whipped up three of these 4th of July luminaries in about 5 minutes.  They are gorgeous once you stick a candle in them!

And Bay’s sharing a super easy fruit pizza.  Think sugar cookies + cream cheese frosting + berries!  It perfectly festive!  And perfectly easy for littles to assemble too!

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DIY Flag Luminaries // 

 

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • pickle jars (or mason jars)
  • american flags
  • scotch tape
  • mod podge
  • sponge paint brush
  • twine
  • glue
  • candle

 

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I used pickle jars for this fun DIY.  I measured the flags with all the jars in my house and found the pickle jars were the perfect size.  No need to cut the flag.  GG had some laying around that I was able to take off her hands.  Any jar will do the trick.

If your jars have labels, just soak them in warm water + dish soap.  You’ll bed able to remove them pretty easily.

Scored the 3-pack of American Flags in the dollar spot at Target.  3 flags for a buck, you can’t beat that.  Carefully remove the flags from the wooden sticks.

Tape the American Flags to the jars.  This will help keep them in place.

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Using the foam paint brush, apply a coat of mod podge over the top of the flag.  Wait 20 minutes and repeat with a second coat.  Remove scotch tape.

Allow to dry overnight.

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Add twine or ribbon to the top and add a dab of glue to keep the twine in place.

Stick a candle and you’re good to go.

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I love coming up with fun festive crafts to make with items I have on hand.  Or can pick-up from the dollar spot!

 

 

Bay Bakes // 

And check out Bay’s adorable fruit pizza!

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{weekend notes}

Posted in Adventure, Bay Bakes, California, Cooking, Cool spots, family, Food, foodie, friday, friends, Holidays, jcrew addict, Kid Food, kids, Lake Tahoe, Summertime, travel, weekend by

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Good morning!  To be completely honest, I cannot believe it’s already Monday.  I spent the last couple of days in Tahoe and it’s like I blinked and boom, the weekend was GONE!  Not a fan of a Holiday landing on a Wednesday.  Do you celebrate all week?  Last weekend?  Or next weekend?  I say we just celebrate all July?  What do you say?  I get lots of questions about where to eat.  Where to hike.  The best beaches in Tahoe.  I’m thinking of doing a South Lake Tahoe blog post.  Is that something you’d be into?  Leave a comment and let me know : )

 

Intentions for the week:

  • Blog June recap – Done {june in review} 
  • Grill peaches for dessert – (and a peach galette) 
  • Renew AAA roadside – (a must with all the miles I’ve been putting on the old Pilot)
  • Hike a new trail
  • Make a recipe from the Inspiralized & Beyond Cookbook
  • Take lots of pics with Bay’s Instax camera – (harder than it looks…iPhone pics are so much easier) 
  • Surprise the kids with a breakfast donut board – (cool breakfast idea for the kiddos)
  • Celebrate the 4th of July in Tahoe – (So much fun with the fam!)
  • Watch the fireworks from the beach – (it’s a tradition) 
  • Wear red, white + blue all week long – (I rocked all three tops) 
  • Put up all the American Flags I can find – (always)
  • Cook with salmon #craving – (made baked salmon over lemon spaghetti…BOMB)
  • Survive the work week + HWY 50 – (barely) 

 

 

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

 

Highlights from the weekend…….

 

Friday night, date night //

I’ve been wanting to check out the Revival at the new Sawyer Hotel in Sac.  But, if you’re a male, you cannot wear flip-flops.  At a bar that has a pool?  Hmmmm!  Doesn’t make much sense to me.  Since Cory, (and I’m sure 90% of males on a 100 degree day) were also wearing flip-flops, we were turned away.  Question, are guys encouraged to rock dress shoes + shorts?  End of rant!

So we checked out Punch Bowl Social again.

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When Stover’s Home //

We get together for drinks + a catch up sesh.  Stover even shopped my closet for her outfit 🙂  Missing some homies, but always a good time.  The three of us here, we’ve been friends for over 20 years.  Crazy!  We can reminisce about the good old days all night long!

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Caboodle Poll //

I got another 100% poll Saturday morning.  Every person who voted, once owned (or still has) a caboodle.  I love when classics become popular again.

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Beach Cover-Up //

I was so excited to pack this cover-up, that I totally forgot to wear it….Ha!

SZ Blockprints™ for J.Crew Kitty top

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Peace Out //

Bikes loaded up, hitting the road

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My favorite Place //

Found my favorite peeps at my favorite spot Saturday morning.  Pope Beach!

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Bay + Daniel ♥

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Straight Chillin

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Daniel loved my hat

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Electra Snobs

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Gangs All Here //

One of the perks to our cabin, a brewery right around the corner.

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South Lake Tahoe Brewing Company

Love their blonde

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We ended up making ourselves at home at the brewery, once we found out there was an active shooter in our neighborhood.  SWAT + police EVERYWHERE!  Right up the street from our cabin.  Luckily it didn’t go on all night.  They finally got the bastard and we were able to go home.  Definitely makes for an interesting night!

South Lake Tahoe – deadly shooting

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Trying new recipes //

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{weekend notes}

Posted in Adventure, Bay Bakes, Cooking, Cool spots, family, Food, foodie, friday, friends, kids, Movies, Recipe, Summertime, weekend, Wine by

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Hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  Ours was everything I’d hoped for.  Super chill with a perfect mix of friends + family.  Exploring + pizza!  Ha!  A dream, really!

 

Intentions for the Week:

  • Visit Mezger Zinnia Patch + take flowers to GG – (they still look beautiful) 
  • Clean out my work tote – so much shit! – (just throw it away #moto)
  • Set a pretty Mexican themed table – (almost done) 
  • Share asparagus caprese recipe – (did anyone try it yet?) {caprese asparagus}
  • Organize + clean out the garage – (still impressed with the results and also, just throw it away came into play)
  • Edible flower ice cubes – (roses + lavender + lemons + rosemary…stay tuned)  
  • Labor Day camping trip – (we booked Lake Francis and it looks like a fun spot) 
  • Dinner with girlfriends – (always a good time with my gals) 
  • Hang out at home – (the dvr is empty + house is clean + meal prep is done) 
  • Workout…no excuses! – (almost killed it, except for Friday but I’ll take it) 

 

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

Here’s some highlights…..

 

My girl //

Car selfies with Bay while we wait for Cory

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Friday Night Vibes //

We headed to Full Bell Farm for their Pizza Night.

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Set up out camp

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Popped open some chard

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Listened to so music

I ran into Nancy and she gave me a quick little tour of the gorgeous kitchen.  Best part, they have a dish washer that washes in 90 second.  Umm, I think I need one!

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Wood-fired pizza

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Pizza time

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The peach salad inspired me.  Crazy simple, yet so beautiful + delish.  Remember, I don’t even really do fruit and I really dug this!

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We opted for a sausage pizza

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And a margarita.  I can’t tell you which one was better.  It was a tie!

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The homemade salted caramel ice cream….to.die.for.

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The view from our chairs wasn’t too bad either.

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photo cred: Bay

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Get these dates on your calendar and go visit Full Belly Farm for one of their summer pizza nights.  It is a trek, but totally worth it.

Pizzas are $15 each.  We ordered 2 for the three of us and had leftovers.  You can BYO beer + wine.  Set up a picnic and hang out.

I’m now dying to check out one of their Farm Dinners.

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Saturday morning //

Always prepping + cooking in the kitchen.

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I’d swear I shared this one before, but I can’t find it anywhere.  So, coming soon!

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Pool day //

Bay + her flamingo

 

While Me + Nikki + Mom sipped rosé

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Always feeding my people.

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{friday 5}

Posted in Bay Bakes, Cooking, fashion, Food, foodie, friday, jcrew addict, kid style, kids, mom & me, ootd, Outfit Details, Recipe, sale, Spring by

Summer Fridays!  Is there anything better?  Fridays are powerful anytime of the year, but summer?   They’re basically everything! And when you have the day off work to celebrate your girl. That just the icing on the cake.

5 things on my mind today…..

ONE – 6th grade Promotion //  Today is the day.  Bay’s 6th grade promotion.  I found this picture from the first day of Kindergarten in Mrs. Chase’s class.  Be still my heart!

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And today. So grown and so beautiful. I can’t take it. Watch out Lee Middle School. You’re gaining so pretty cool chicks 😎

TWO – Bay Bakes // Strawberry Shortcakes.  This recipe is a classic.  I’m sure you’ve had them prepared this way at some point.  When I think strawberry shortcakes, I think the spongy round cakes you get in the 6-pack at the grocery store.  But, this real biscuit stuff is what dreams were made of!  Next time you have a bunch of berries makes this for your peeps!

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 carton strawberries, sliced
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 1/3 cup bisquick mix
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • tub of cool whip

Mix strawberries + 1/4 cup sugar and stick in the fridge.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.

Mix together bisquick mix + milk + 3 tablespoons sugar + butter until it forms into a soft dough.

Drop dough onto baking sheet by the spoonfuls.  You’ll get 6 large biscuits.

Bake for 12 minutes until golden brown.

When ready to serve, split shortcakes in half and top with strawberries + cool whip!

THREE – Another cute + cheap top // I’m working on a summer staples post. I’ve grabbed some pieces that will take me through the whole summer. Super versatile items that go with everything. Wash well. Fit well. Like this perfect black tank top here. You guys it’s $19 and comes in white + pale pink + grey too. It’s thick and so comfy.

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{may in review}

Posted in Bay Bakes, California, Community, Cooking, Cool spots, Crafting, Decor, diy, family, fashion, fitness, Food, foodie, friends, Gift Guide, hiking, Holidays, home, instagram, jcrew addict, Kaia, kid style, kids, Kitchen, mom & me, ootd, Outfit Details, Products, Random shit, Recipe, Spring, Trader Joes, weekend by

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In case you missed it, let’s review what went down in May…..

23 blog posts.

Some of my highest viewing stats, thanks to the Patron sale at Nugget + my Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

Something else that caught my attention, I had views from 44 other countries.  Forty four!  Crazy, right?  I’m really not even sure how that happens.

 

 

Here’s a little re-cap on what we chatted about in May:

 

{currently craving // may} should I do this again for June?

Bay requests this {crunchy iceberg salad bowls} weekly

According to stats this was my highest viewed post for May {gift guide: mother’s day}

{friday 5} this post came in second…all because that Patron sale at Nugget lol.

{weekend notes} a weekend full of Spring Show

The prettiest summer salad I ever did meet {strawberry + beet salad}

{kaia BRIK goals} meeting my goals, but missed two classes in the last 6 weeks (not bad, not bad)

{april in review} and 2 cute Target dresses

{friday 5} homemade pickled onions + a madewell top I love

Another good one {weekend notes}  Mother’s Day + Lucky In Kentucky + my strawberry + baby daisy naked cake

Taco Tuesday {sheet pan shrimp fajitas} with a side of guac…yummm

This {floral top + random thoughts} is another one that’s been on maj repeat + it’s currently marked down to $17!!

Getting a little hippie-dippie with these {floral + herb smudge stick diy}

Now I want to go home and clean my fridge again after looking at this {friday 5} And I’m happy to report….Bay + I are still doing our Friday morning Starbucks dates too ♥

{weekend notes} celebrating GG + pool dates + hiking…that was a damn good weekend

So, {do you kimono} now?

Bay Bakes {oatmeal peanut butter cookies}

Only 2 1/2 days of school left, do you have your {teacher gift} ready?  Loved getting tagged in everyone’s pics that duplicated this fun gift idea.

Still obsessed with this crop top from {friday 5}

Anyone made these {mexican burgers} yet?

Spending the weekend checking out Cory’s old stomping grounds on {weekend notes}

Currently want to tie dye everything after making these {tie dye napkin diy}

Have you added any of these {food finds} to your TJ’s list

 

What a month!

Once again, BIG thank you to you for clicking on this website and reading.  Thank you for sending me pictures of the cute tops you order from the blog.  Tagging me in your pictures on insta stories.  Texting me for that recipe.  Tips on how to make the naked cake.  You guys really do make my day ♥

 

And in other news, the dress of my dreams arrived last night.  Remember the one I told you about yesterday on {weekend notes}?

 

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I bought this dress for an event.  Otherwise, I would have no place to wear it.  Ha!  I’m not a big get super dressed up type.

It’s like a gown.  Never, I have ever owned a dress like this.  The quality is top-notch.  It’s elegant.  Classic.  The color is so vibrant.  Super faltering silhouette…almost like it was tailored.  The ruffle details are perfectly placed.  And it has pockets!  Basically the ultimate summer statement dress.  Exactly what I was looking for.

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{weekend notes}

Posted in Bay Bakes, Cooking, family, fashion, Food, foodie, friday, friends, jcrew addict, Kid Food, kids, Summertime, weekend by

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Monday, why?  Today I dropped a full mug of coffee.  Completely flaked on Kaia.  The snooze button won!  My house got invaded by some weird bugs as I was walking out the door for work.  Somehow wore my top inside out till about 15 minutes ago when I noticed.

Wishing I was back at the pool with these chicks right about now ♥

So there’s that.  Peace out, Monday!

 

Intentions for the week:

  • Grill zucchini (doesn’t it sound so good?) (will be sharing the recipe I posted on IG stores…so good)
  • Bay’s gonna bake and use strawberries…stay tuned (did you catch her strawberry shortcake recipes on {friday 5})? 
  • Homemade pizza (you guys, I made a caesar salad pizza…I DIE)!
  • Asparagus caprese…yes please (coming to the blog too)
  • Can you tell I’m hungry?
  • Can’t decide if I should cut my hair or let it grow a little…hmmm (shorter + blonder)
  • Going super blonde either way though 🙂
  • Toast to our final Omega Nu meeting (till after summer) (nothing for the rest of the summer!)
  • Sign Bay up for Faith Formation (she’s not very excited..lol) 
  • Make + blog a fun Graduation DIY (did you catch the {money + candy lei diy}?) 
  • Complete 4-H record book (DONE√)
  • Bay’s 6th grade promotion (I may cry a little) (got a little teary as we left Plainfield for the last time as a Mustang student/parent) 

 

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

 

Highlights from the weekend……

 

6th Grade Dance //

My girl all ready for the dance.  Bay did her own hair + a little makeup.  She looked so grown up and beautiful!

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And their off.

BIG thanks to Jason + Destiny for sending the girls to their first dance in style.  I’ve never even been in a limo that cool!

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While Bay boogied, we had SOL margs!

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Full cup, Full heart, Full cart //

Saturday mornings are for two cups of coffee + online shopping in your PJ’s.

And those Trader Joe’s peonies are quite the show stopper.

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I was invited to my first blogging event at the end of the month.  So, I pulled the trigger on a pretty dress that I’ve had my eye one.  You know, one of those you can’t stop thinking about, but really you have no place to wear it?  As soon as I got the invite, I went to order this and it was sold out.  Saturday morning is was back in-stock in one size.  My size.  That’s meant to be friends!

Striped ruffle maxi dress

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This dress has mixed reviews, but for that price tag, I decided to give it a shot.  I grabbed it in navy.

Eyelet flutter-hem dress

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Since we’ve been spending a lot of time at the pool, these seem necessary.  And I technically got them for Bay, but we officially wear the same shoe size now.  So, I will be borrowing!

Tortoise pool slides

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I love these leather hair ties.  Bay has some in other colors.  These are the Lee Middle School colors for the win!

 

Leather bow hair ties

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Caprese Egg Cups //

Coming to the blog this week!  So good + so easy!

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Over avocado toast!

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Bay Bakes //

Bay made a delicious dessert for us!

Also coming to the blog this week 🙂

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Cousins pool day //

Happiest + cutest baby ever!

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Say cheese!

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Check out the frog.

Benny scooped him up in a solo cup to transfer him to the kiddie pool.  Handed me the cup (with the frog in it).  As the frog was trying to get out.  I don’t think I’ve ever run so fast in my life.

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Always laying on me.

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From this

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