{weekend notes}

October 30, 2018October 30, 2018 xoxostacyb4 Comments

Well, it’s a day late! It’s been such a busy (work-wise) few weeks, that by the time I get home – I’m dead! Which has left me little to NO time for this space. I’m trying though! Be patient with me, I’ll be back in the swing of things next week!

Intentions for the week:

Practice gratitude, it makes such a difference
Prune bushes and clean up the front patio #hotmess
Trader Joe’s for some goodies (chard + dark chocolate almonds too, obvi)
Faith Formation Parents night
Share mine + Bay’s Old Navy Try-On
Go greener
Celebrate Halloween with GG + family + friends
Swirl + Slice downtown Woodland….come see me at Serendipity!
Get back on the #last90days challenge and maybe share more about it?
Survive!

Highlights from the weekend…….

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Bay Bakes · Cooking · family · Food · foodie · friday · friends · kids

{weekend notes}

October 22, 2018October 22, 2018 xoxostacyb2 Comments

Good day. Ha. Can’t say good morning. Monday rolled around real, real quick! Our weekend was full of family + friends + straight up kickin it. I still wasn’t ready for today though. The answer – coffee, lots of coffee. Followed by wine, lots of wine. That’s just how I roll these days. So this photo above kinda represents life these days pretty well. Throw your hands up and enjoy the wild ride.

Intentions for the Week:

Hit my step goal every.damn.day
And my water goal #hellaounces
Listen to my damn audio book, not sure I dig it yet
Bays first sports banquet 🏐
Make my Hawaiian chicken
Visit Serendipity + bella moda Christmas Preview…the most wonderful time of the year 🎄
Talk about my favorite new J.Crew sweater
And 10 things I’m diggin
Maybe, just maybe get my Portland Travelogue up?
Share a good ol healthy chili recipe

Highlights from the weekend…..

Beer me

Friday night at Blue Note. We need to make this a habit again.

How we feel about Taqueria Guadalajara nacho Friday 👍🏻

So, I didn’t win the Lotto Friday night, but I did walk around the corner at dollar tree to find my nephew, Benny with these stunna shades on. So it’s kinda the same thing, right?

Facebook memories that stop you in your tracks.

Watching our #4. Bay even made a sign, which Benny was pretty pumped about.

Orchard dinner set-up. It was all Anna, we just helped. She has a vision like no other and it came out better than I imagined.

To the pumpkin patch. Via jeeps, side-by-sides and pickups taking the back roads. Crossing a ditch and this was the view 🇺🇸

But first, solo cup roadies

And they’re off…..

The cow train

Bay + Spencer!

Hands up in the air, wave um like you just don’t care 🙌🏻

(Photo cred: Alex)

Pumpkin patch kids + Jessie ❤️

Bays shuttle service. She had more fun giving rides than anything lol.

Dinner time

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Bay Bakes · Cooking · family · Food · foodie · Kid Food · kids · Kitchen · mom & me · Recipe

{magnolia table lemon bars}

October 9, 2018October 9, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

Yesterday was just one of them days. Instantly as I typed that first line, a song popped into my head. You know, the Monica song from the 90’s? “Don’t take it personal!” Now do you remember? In case you have no flippin clue what song I’m talking about: Monica – Don’t Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)

And now it’s going to be stuck in your head, like it is mine.

We had one of dem days (as Monica would say). Sometimes I look at my calendar and thinks Dayuuuum Gina! What exactly were you thinking Ha!

I went from work straight to a smog test. The good ol Honda Pilote passed. Flipped a bitch and almost ran into my homegirl, Andrea on West Street as I passed Bay’s school (on accident). Grabbed her from volleyball practice early to make her 5:15 pm 12-year doc appointment. Then to the 4-H officer meeting which is followed with a club meeting. But she missed dinner, so I had to make a detour at good ol Taco Bell. Then go back to the meeting…lol! Too bad I don’t get paid by the mile. We left the house at 7:20 am and got home around 8:15 pm. These are the days of our lives…..

Since we’re on the subject, how about a Bay update?

At her doc appointment, we discovered she is currently…….

144 weeks old (sorry, I had too)

64 inches (5’4″)

92 lbs

Bay grew 4 whole inches in 365 days. What happened to my little girl? She wears the same size shoe as I do. And frequently tries to steal my shoes too. Bay also rocked one of my plaid shirts to school. Tried around her waist. She looked so cute. And so grown up.

Bay obviously still LOVES to bake. She’s always up to try a new recipe or google ingredients we have on hand to create something for her sweet tooth. Like these amazing lemon bars she scoped out in the Magnolia Table cookbook that lives on our coffee table.

Magnolia Table Cookbook

Bay’s still riding horses once a week. She’s competed in two English horse shows and loves every second of it. So much, that she opted to spend her whole Saturday volunteering at this coming weekends show.

1st quarter report cards come out this week. I never thought the sight of a 4.0 would stress me out. Bay’s been kicking ass at school in all zero – 6th periods and has straight A’s. She was sick one day last week and logged in and messaged all her teachers for the days assignments and completed them from her bed. I’d like to say she’s just crazy excited for school. Ha. But, truth is, I made a promise that if she gets a 4.0 and maintains it – She get’s social media. I know, I know. I said I wouldn’t do it. I’m crazy proud of her and this is the ONE and ONLY thing that she wants in exchange for acing the first quarter of middle school. We shall see how this goes!

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{fall to-do’s}

October 4, 2018October 5, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

img_8764-1

Bay’s LA Sweatshirt // My LA Sweatshirt // Van’s // Levi’s

Happy October, friends! Am I the ONLY freak that was uber excited that October 1st fell on a Monday? Monday’s are already for fresh starts, but when the 1st + a Monday collide….happy AF!

A happy little buzz (not the wine kind of buzz) comes along with the month of October. How can you not crack a smile when you walk past piles of pumpkins at the grocery store. The temps start taking a slight dip. Dream of hearty recipes. Fluffy blankets. Cozy sweaters. Red wine…oh yeah. Festive fall candles. Changing of colors. We saw a lot of this in Oregon last week, which I’ve never experienced before here in California. Slowing down. And starting fresh.

Hence the 1st falling on a Monday. And it being the last 90 days of the year. It’s the perfect time to freshen up. Change your routine. I’m jumping on the #last90days challenge. Basically living the last 90 days how you lived the first 90 days of the year. We’ll touch more on that next week though.

I need to add #twinning with my tween to the list! Ha!

Our LA sweatshirts have been on maj repeat. We’ve declared them to be our weekend wear. And she still thinks it’s cool to match me! Insert happy dance.

Wanna twin with us? lol! Our sweatshirts are 40% off with code: BIGSALE And the Levi’s are marked down today too!

Bay’s LA Sweatshirt ($23) // My LA Sweatshirt ($35) // Van’s // Levi’s ($73)

Today, let’s chat about ALL THE THINGS we plan + hope to do this fall!

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Adventure · Bay Bakes · California · Cooking · Cool spots · Decor · fall · family · fashion · Food · foodie · friday · friends · jcrew addict · kids · mom & me · ootd · Outfit Details · Pumpkin · ShopStyle · travel · weekend

{weekend notes}

September 24, 2018 xoxostacyb3 Comments

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!

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Bay Bakes · Cooking · family · fashion · Food · foodie · friday · friends · jcrew addict · Kid Food · kids · mom & me · ootd · Outfit Details · Recipe · ShopStyle · weekend

{weekend notes}

September 14, 2018September 21, 2018 xoxostacyb2 Comments

It’s hard to believe we’re entering the very last week of summer. Crazy! Remember when I told you I was going to keep things short + sweet? Well, I’m going to do just that today. We spent the weekend as low-key as possible. Celebrated my Mom. Showered a new mama and baby coming into our family. Decorated with Mezger Zinnia’s. Church and more kickin it. Sometimes doing nothing, hung over or not, is just want the body and mind are in need of. Woke up refreshed and ready to kick this weeks ass! Rather than letting it kick mine again…lol!

Intentions for the Week:

watch Bay’s first Lee Middle School Volleyball game – (and they won…both games this week)
get blonde + catch up with my homegirl Allison – (thanks for dealing with my hungover ass Allison)
go to Target….it’s been a long, long 30 day – (I was disappointed…hardly found anything I had to have)
hang out with the Hostert’s ♥ – (always a good time)
share my shopping freeze diary – {i gave up shopping for 30 days…kinda}
create a fall inspiration board – (still gathering…but it’s getting close)
solidify Halloween costumes – (finalized…I’ll be a witch, again :))
complete our fall to-do’s – (coming next week)
meal prep lunches for the entire week – {meal prep tips + greek salad}
old navy try-on – (so much good stuff)
hit 15,000 steps per day – (killed it)
remember that everything is going to be okay – (#truth)

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

Highlights from the weekend……

Friday night we celebrated these two turning the BIG 6-0! My mom and her bestie, Ronda. They’ve been thick as thieves since high school. Their friendship makes me happy!

The OG’s – The original 4!

Tank (marked down to $29) // Denim (on sale for $79) // Earrings // Booties

I’m wearing the turtleneck tank that I shared the last week. You 100% need this in your closet!

GG always smiling

3 generations!

I made {mom’s famous thai pasta salad} and Bay baked {magnolia table chocolate chip cookies}

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blogger · Community · Cooking · Cool spots · Decor · family · fashion · friday · friends · jcrew addict · ootd · Outfit Details · Products · weekend

{weekend notes}

September 10, 2018September 17, 2018 xoxostacyb9 Comments

After a week off (kinda) it feels so good to type the words….Happy Monday! We’re back in action over here at xoxostacyb. What I mean by kinda is…I was busy working behind the scenes. Updating. Upgrading. Adding. Condensing. The BIG questions is….

What do you think of the changes? New layout. My personal ShopStyle link has been added to the sidebar on a desktop. Bottom if you’re using a phone. Just like the LIKEtoKNOW.it. You can shop everything from outfit details #ootds, products and home items. Basically, if I rock it or love it, you’ll be able to find it here. Click on the link on my blog or in my instagram bio, click “shop my looks” and direct links will be right at your fingertips. If you purchase something through my ShopStyle, I make a (very) small commission. So help a sister out…lol. Currently still adding items, so bear with me.

Another change….recent posts, Archives and Categories have been condensed and now offer a scroll down.

And you’ll likely notice there are now advertisements. Sorry! I know it’s annoying, but it is what it is.

Don’t forget you can always subscribe and receive an email every time I publish a new post. Go to Follow Blog Via Email. Type in your email address. Click FOLLOW. And you’re all set!

My new goal is to keep it simple. So although this is quite wordy, you’ll be seeing daily posts. Weekly reviews. Friday 5 and all the same xoxostacyb topics. Just in smaller scale.

So, I’m dying to know. What do you think? Comment below. On Instagram. Facebook. Let me know what you think of the changes.

And now back to our regularly scheduled program……

Intentions for the Week:

delete photos – (so satisfying lol)
plan a family dinner – (schedulded)
smog my car – (done√)
lunch date – (The Grad…cant remember the last time)
drink #hella water – (and pee all day long)
take a hike
find the perfect 2019 planner/calendar – (now I have to wait till Wednesday to order lol)
go apple picking
bust out all the Fall decor – (we’re half way there)
celebrate Mom’s big 6-0 – (love that lady)
mask + mani night with Bay – (our weekly thing)
register for 2018-2019 4-H – (It’s that time of year again)
phone date with Stover – (always feels good to catch up with a homie)

Highlights from the weekend…….

I have to stop and thank all these pretty ladies right here. They all showed up and supported and gave me all the feels. So grateful for great friends + family to share life with! Love you bitches!!!

So Friday we all met at Sarah P’s home. Her gorgeous home. We drank wine. Lots of wine. We snacked of pretty food. Like this grazing platter below. I whipped this bad boy up in about 5 minutes. Candied walnuts, crackers, rosemary, dried apricots, brie wedge, olive tapenade, honey comb and prosciutto.

We talked, a lot. The room was so full of laughter…it made my heart crazy happy!

We hit First Friday to check out bella moda boutique and Serendipity Boutique. Personally, my favorite shops on Main Street.

Once I’m off my spending freeze, I’ll be buying this Tequila Por Favor tank!!!

And this succulent skull!!!

We took my Mom and her bestie, Ronda to The Stag. My Mom, born and raised in this town has never been to The Stag. So, we changed that real quick.

I can’t thank Sarah P for opening up her home and hosting all of us! Love you homegirl!!

Happy Dance!

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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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family · kids · mom & me · Summertime

{this is twelve}

August 23, 2018August 23, 2018 xoxostacyb9 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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Community · Cooking · Cool spots · Decor · diy · family · Food · foodie · friday · friends · kid style · kids · mom & me · Nordstrom · Summertime · weekend · Wine

{weekend notes}

August 20, 2018August 27, 2018 xoxostacyb2 Comments

Well friends, we’re in the home stretch of summer. Today I’m feeling equal parts excited AF for school to start and not sure “I’m ready” to drop my little girl off at Middle School. The Sunday scaries got me good last night. I tossed + turned over thinking. The hustle and bustle of school beginning has me getting all kinds of organized. Ready for the routine. The not so settling part – we’ve got so much “new” happening this year. The whole new school. Our morning routine is changing drastically. Hello zero period. You know what I mean? All that unknown stuff. Luckily Bay is beyond pumped which makes my heart incredibly happy!

I really wanted to dedicate this week on the blog to all things back-to-school. But, then I remembered that whenever I spend the entire week on one topic, I get so burnt out. So, we’ll be chatting about ALL THE THINGS. School. #ootd’s Organization. Oh and I’ve got the best easy weeknight dinner for you too. It’s a crockpot recipe I’ve been making for years.

Lot’s of Inentions for this week!!!

Intentions for the Week:

~~Organize ALL THE THINGS~~ – (anything + everything is organized AF)
~~Meal prep like a boss~~ – (killed it)
~~Pre-plan outfits…for me + Bay~~ – (this was crazy helpful in the morning)
~~Make lunches the night before~~ – (lifesaver)
~~Celebrate Toni’s Birthday~~ – (love hanging with my high school girlfriends)
Workout Monday – Friday – (failed…skipped Thursday + Friday)
~~15k steps per day~~ – (but I did get my 15k per day!!)
~~Forever 21 shopping trip~~ – (Bay found so much cute stuff)
~~EARLY bedtime~~ – (9pm yo my boo)
~~Punctuality~~ – (on time everyday…can I get a WHOOP WHOOP)
~~DIY Happy Birthday banner~~ – (we taped it to the wall….things have changed)
~~All the 1st day of school traditions~~ – (except Raley’s…so sad. Damn zero period)
~~Final Tahoe summer hurrah~~ – (just what the doc ordered)
~~Spoil my girl on the 23rd~~ – (obvi I went a little overboard, per usual)