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Category Archives: family
{friday 5}
FRIIIIDAYYYYY! You guys, there is only one more Friday left in 2018! So NUTS! What’s on the agenda today? Shopping? Wrapping? I have finally completed my Christmas shopping. Miracles do happen…HA! Just patiently waiting for the final packages to arrive….with my fingers crossed. I got up super early this morning. Turned on the Christmas tree lights. Made a cup of coffee. And had a serious wrapping sesh. The UPS delivery guy dropped of more packages at 6am…and they are officially wrapped and under the tree. 4 more sleeps till Christmas!
How great is it having a full weekend before the Holiday madness hits? We have a couple more {christmas traditions} to mark off the list. Then I foresee, lots of lounging and hanging out at home. Which I’m so looking forward too.
ONE – Target Top // I walked into Target the other day….how many sentences have I started like that…lol! So, I walked in. Spotted this Who What Wear top out of the corner of my eye. Straight up got out of the long ass customer service line (I was like 2 peeps from being next). And grabbed the top! In the meantime about 38 people got in line in front of me. But, I got the top! And that’s all that really matters. It’s super cute guys. Get one!
Leopard V-Neck Button-Up Blouse
TWO – Mary Poppins Returns // Last night my Mom, Bay and I went to see the new Mary Poppins movie. You guys, it’s so good. Stick it on your list of things to do while your kids are on Winter break. I was a little bummed they didn’t sing a Spoonful of Sugar though. Now I need to get my hands on the original. Bay doesn’t think she’s ever seen it.
Watch the trailer here: Mary Poppins Returns Trailer
THREE – Starbucks “Coldbuster” drink //
{weekend notes}
Cocoon Cardigan // Vintage Tee // Denim // Flats // Leather Tote // Sunnies
One week left till Christmas. Are you one of those freaks that’s all ready? Haha…I used to be one of those freaks, till this year. Or are you like me, and still searching for the perfect gift for the peeps on your list? I’m getting there….slowly. I’m hosting our girls Hand + Foot card night, which I came to realize was a blessing in disguise. It really lit the fire under my ass. I finally set our table. Finished decorating for Christmas. Hosting makes you do all the things you’ve been putting off. So, I really have my card girls to thank for getting me a little more into the Holiday spirit.
Intentions for the Week:
- get all my wrapping done
- host hand + foot cards night
- make a shaved brussels sprouts cesar salad
- take Bay to see Mary Poppins
- ornament exchange with girlfriends
- get blonde AF
- share a simple everyday centerpiece
- stocking stuffer gift guide
- drive around town to look at Christmas lights
- slow the fuck down!
Highlights from the weekend……
Friday evening Bay + I got fresh mani’s. Then got Bay ready for her first middle school formal.
And off she went. With a full face of makeup…..Looking like a 15-year-old.
While Bay was whoopin it up at the dance, I went home. Got in my Pj’s. Poured a big glass of wine. And made my {asian turkey + green beans}
I have been in a weird cooking frenzy.
Lori Carrion’s Spiced Nuts were made first thing Saturday morning. This a great recipe for gifting. Pour some in a cellophane bag and stick in an initial mug. Or gift them on their own…so good.
and breakfast sandwiches. I picked up hash brown patties, like McDonald’s. Yumm. I baked them and they turned out so good. Just a little carb loading before we headed to the city.
There’s a million other things we should have been doing Saturday, but instead we ditched ALLLL responsibility and went to the city. Best decision!
I gave Bay the option of going or staying home….and I was so happy she chose to come with us. I know one day we’re not going to be fun anymore, so I’m soaking up all these fun day trips.
It was a gorgeous day in the city too. We got to mark everything off our list to do + see.
lavender latte at Home Cafe reminded me when Sara first introduced me to them in Ojai ♥ {ojai // travelogue part #2 }
Bay had her first latte and went with the birthday cake!
Then to the beach, always the beach. The news called for huge storm waves, so naturally we wanted to check that shit out.
Palace of Fine Arts, just because we stumbled on it as we were heading into the marina.
Crazy beautiful architecture.
I got some questions about my cocoon cardigan…it’s back in stock so get your hands on one before they sell out again!!
Woven Patterned Cocoon Cardigan – Universal Thread
Cocoon Cardigan // Vintage Tee // Denim // Flats // Leather Tote // Sunnies
Here are all the outfit details….you can click on the images to be directed to the retailer…..
Woven Patterned Cocoon Cardigan – Universal Thread
Cory and I have been stopping here from the beginning. I can’t tell you how many strawberry fields we’ve consumed over the years…lol.
So we took Bay to our old stomping grounds. Back on our “kids free” weekends. The outdoor area is so prefect. If you’re planning on making a trip to SF, add this spot to your list.
The Fairmont is our favorite.
Last February we stayed at the Fairmont for the weekend. {weekend notes} It’s fucking magical. The best customer service. The hotel is gorgeous. And the flags, I just love all the flags at the entrance.
My dream……
Bubbles for days!
We make a Fairmont stop each Holiday season to take a peek at the giant life-size gingerbread house. It’s a tradition. And I was so happy that Bay was still totally down for it.
You can walk though it. And it legit smells like gingerbread.
Fairmont San Francisco’s talented culinary and engineering teams have joined forces to meticulously plan construction of this year’s enormous Gingerbread House, which will be even larger than last year’s stunning, two-story-high Victorian! Once complete, the impressive, edible abode will stand more than 25 feet high, 35 feet wide and 10.5 feet deep and will feature more than 6,000 house-made gingerbread bricks (largest bricks to date), 1,650 pounds of candy and 3,300 pounds of royal icing. The gingerbread house’s railroad track also delights guests of all ages, who happily gaze upon this favorite feature.
What you didn’t see in my stories, was that we waited in line for 30 minutes at the Mark Hopkin to get up to the 19th floor, Top of the Mark.
Worth it! Bay and I have been, Cory had not. The penthouse lounge provides 360 degree panoramic views of the city. It’s hard to tell, but to the right of my wine glass is the Golden Gate Bridge. Right outside the window from our table. Perfect place for a happy hour drink + Shirley temple + snack. They open at 4:30pm, so you get to watch the sunset!
Bay taking in the view, while Cory + I #chardsohard
Union Square or bust….
{weekend notes}
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 ♥
{thanksgiving kids table // graham cracker crust pumpkin pie}
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.
{weekend notes}
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!
{weekend notes}
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…….
{weekend notes}
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
{magnolia table lemon bars}
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.
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!
{fall to-do’s}
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!