Category Archives: home

{weekend notes}

Posted in Cooking, Cool spots, family, Food, foodie, friday, friends, home, kids, Recipe, Spring, Summertime, weekend by

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Happy first official day of summer (for the kids) School’s out for the summer!  When the weekend blends into the week.  At least for them.  Ha!  We had a super chill weekend.  Just what we wanted + needed.  And we’re following it up with a very mellow week.  I swear one week (last week for example) is a total shit-show, then the next is so nice and relaxing.  What are your kids up to this week?  Camps?  Hanging out?  Bay started Volleyball camp today and absolutely loved it!

 

Intentions for the Week:

  • Order Bike Parade invites
  • Finish {summer staples} blog post
  • Bike ride
  • Make a BIG summer calendar for Bay (think – lot’s of chores…lol)
  • Propagate succulents (so many babies) 
  • File all Bay’s 6th grade school projects + reports
  • Post my clothes on online yard sale (thanks for buying my clothes friends)
  • Clear photos off my iPhone (3,087 photos gone)
  • Eat dinner outside – (Brunch + Dinner ♥)
  • Host a Father’s Day Brunch – (we made Mom’s famous Christmas morning breakfast) 
  • Final 4-H meeting/BBQ of the year (Bay will be the 2018-2019 club Secretary) 
  • Volunteer with Bay at 4th & Hope – (Loved watching Bay experience serving people in need)
  • Self Care: charcoal mask – (I’ve been using one by Origins and dig it) 

 

Last weeks intentions: {weekend notes} 

Highlights from the weekend…….

 

Bay’s 6th Grade Promotion //

Not going to lie, we both shed a few tears walking to the car Friday morning.  I told Bay it was the last time she’d walk on the school campus as a student.  Crazy!!!

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So, Bay got service on her phone.  This was her promotion gift from me.  Honestly it was something that had to happen, considering our summer plans.  We have lots of rules that go along with it, but we’ll chat more about that this week.

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Gram made her the cutest candy sign.  Bay is a total candy freak FYI!

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We spend the afternoon doing this!  At 93, GG is still a damn good time!

 

Have you ever tried Baskin Robin Polar Pizza?  Do it!  Scroll to the bottom of this link and get a $2 off coupon

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I made not one, but two of these pretty fruit trays.  Think I can sell these things?  Make a business out of making pretty snack trays?

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The last couple of years, we’ve spent the last day of school at Robin’s.  Thanks for having us!  The kids swim.  We chat.  And Spencer feeds me chips + guac!  Ha!!

 

Dinner with Friends //

Friday night dinner with friends.  Bay fell in love with Brandon’s hoverboard.  And now that’s what she wants to buy with her pig money.  I’m still not a fan.  They seem like an injury waiting to happen!

 

Easy Saturday Morning //

We had the most chill Saturday we’ve had in such a long time!

For some odd reason I decided to make blueberry pancakes.  But, neither of us like pancakes or blueberries…HA!

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Packed a picnic and walked the Arboretum.  Check off the Spring To-Do’s!

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Ended the day with date night + catch up sesh with the Truitt’s.  They have the best swings in their backyard.  I could sit there all night, except I’d probably fall asleep….I kinda did.

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Sundayyyy //

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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 Adventure, Bay Bakes, California, Celebrity News, Cooking, Cool spots, family, foodie, friday, friends, hiking, home, Kid Food, kids, mom & me, Spring, weekend by

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It’s Monday friends!  Did anyone else notice that there are ONLY 12 days of school left?  You guys, summer is almost here!  This weekend felt like summer.  The sun was shinning.  We spent as much time as possible outdoors.  Family time.  Spent time with friends.  Good rosé.  Delicious dinners.

 

Intentions for the Week:

Last weeks intentions: {weekend notes}

 

Highlights from the weekend…….

Celebrating GG’s 93rd Birthday //

She told me that with 3 new grand-grand babies on the way, come December she will have 21 great-grands.  That’s pretty damn impressive.  This photo below is just a handful of them ♥

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GG + baby Daniel

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GG + her homegirl Dot.  GG’s mean-muggin.

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Kid table

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Cousins.  Missing two.  Can you believe that between us, there are 21 kids?  Crazy!

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The Royal Wedding //

Anyone else get up at the butt-crack of dawn to watch the royal wedding?  I had to.  Then when right back to sleep.  Woke up with Bay and watched it all over again.

So gorgeous.  I do think her dress was a little understated and was kind of swallowing her.  But dress #2 made up for it.

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Bay Bakes //

Bay made the best oatmeal peanut butter cookies.  Recipe coming this week!

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Skinny, Skinny Margs //

While I made margs…Ha!

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Babysitter Bay //

We had a special visitor for a couple of hours.  Bay is officially babysitting.

 

Pool platter //

Snacks for a pool date with my Mom + her homegirl.

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I can get used to days like this!

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Ended up hanging out with these chicks, not once, but twice this weekend.  We laughed a lot.

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Skinny, Skinny Margs round 2

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Pool date #2 //

Bay’s turn to have friends over for a pool date

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Charcuterie (kiddie) platter #2

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{friday 5}

Posted in Celebrity News, fashion, friday, home, kids, Kitchen, mom & me, Organization, sale, Spring by

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Happy Friday Senoritas!  This week was a doozy.  So tired.  So annoyed.  So grumpy.  For absolutely NO reason at all.  Hence the {floral + herb smudge stick diy}  For the record, it worked!  Feeling 100 again.  Friday might have a little something to do with it?!?!?  Weekend agenda: nada.  Zip.  Zilch.  Nada.  Well, kinda.  We are celebrating GG’s 93rd Birthday tonight, so that’s for sure something.  And the royal wedding…obvi.  Maybe lay out by the pool.  Drink some wine?  Sure, why not.  It’s a weekend dedicated to do what ever the hell we want.  And it happened just when we needed it the most.

Before we part for the weekend, let’s chat about 5 things.  Real quick…..

 

ONE – The Royal Wedding // Who’s getting up at the butt-crack of dawn to watch the Royal Wedding?  I originally said “hell yes,” but the more I think about it….kinda depends on how many cervezas I consume at GG’s fiesta tonight.  Just keepin it real.  DVR is locked and loaded in case I hit snooze.

Then I found this fun drinking game.  Basically, you’d be drunk by 5am if you play during actual time.  Not even sure I’m down with that.  Maybe I’ll play with my cup of coffee + Bailey’s?  Hmmm!  Mimosas?

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TWO – Friday Starbucks Date // Back in the day, I’m talking when Bay was around 5 years old, maybe?  We used to do Starbucks dates every Friday morning.  Bay would get the mini vanilla scones, two of them.  I always got a frapp.  Well, last Friday we randomly decided to go to Starbucks at 6am (I skipped the gym, hungover AF)  We ordered drinks + breakfast and sat together and talked about random life shit.  Like the fact she has a crush on this boy….OMG, kill me now!  It was so nice to have a little one-on-one date with my girl.  Before the hectic work/school day begins.  So, we’ve made a pact to make it our new Friday morning thing.  And you better believe she popped out of bed at 6am for our date this morning ♥

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THREE – Clean Fridge //  I’ve told you before that Thursday nights are my cleaning nights.  I’m a crazy routine person.  I have certain things I do on certain days.  Like the carwash.  Grocery shopping.  Banking.  Peeps think I’m so crazy, but I live for routine + schedule.  Keeps me organized and happy!  Last night, for some odd reason, I had a burst of energy around 10pm.  (I was like, where the fuck did that come from?)  After most of my cleaning was done.  So, obvi I stayed up till midnight to clean out the fridge.  Pulled everything out.  Threw out anything expired.  Wiped down all the shelves and drawers.  Woke up at 4:30 am tired AF and my workout was almost impossible due to lack of sleep.  But, when I opened my sparkly clean fridge this morning, I realized it was all worth it.  And I’m officially and OLD, because I find this to be so incredibly rewarding.  Ha!

And yes, I have a second fridge in the garage to house all my booze + La Croix.

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{floral + herb smudge stick diy}

Posted in Crafting, Decor, diy, health, home, Inspiration, Random shit by

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You know about the smudge sticks, yes?  You know the bundles of dried sage that hippies like to burn?  It’s not just for hippies anymore.  Or maybe I’m becoming a hippie?  Who knows, but I’m all about it.

So what if we made our own with herbs + flowers?  They are so damn pretty, even if you don’t burn them and displayed just for looks.  Although, you should totally burn them (that’s the hippie in me coming out).  

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I’m going to break down the whole smudging thing right now…..

Why smudge?

Sage is traditionally burned in Native American ceremonially rituals.  The smoke from the burning smudges stick is said to cleanse of bad feelings + negative thoughts + bad spirits + negative energy.  I know I’m totally loosing you, but whether or not this is true, is up for debate.  I’m a believer!  And who doesn’t want to want to rid of all the negative shit?

When to smudge?

  • when you move into a new space
  • begin a new job
  • when you’re feeling angry + upset or negative
  • anytime you feel a conflict in your life
  • a struggling relationship
  • significant life event: marriage + birth + death + sickness

 

Are you down with it?

If you’re thinking, WTFE xoxostacyb, then look at the next image…..

It’s pretty AF, huh?  Are you feelin it now?

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I personally think these bundles would make for a beautiful gift for hostesses + housewarming + showers…you name it.

You’re going to die when you see how incredibly simple these floral + herb smudge sticks are to make on your own.

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{friday 5}

Posted in Cooking, Decor, diy, fashion, Food, foodie, friday, home, ootd, Outfit Details, Products, Recipe, sale, Spring, Target by

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Happy Friday!  It’s been a really good week.  A nice calm week.  Just what we needed.  Spent as much time as possible outdoors which makes all the difference in shaking my creative juices up.  So many projects I can’t wait to start.  So many fun ideas for the blog.

Take the weekend to recharge, relax and treat yo self Mama’s!  And I wish you all the happiest Mother’s day!

 

 

ONE – Hot Sauce Debate // No doubt, I’m a tap-your-uncle girl.  Tapatio, that is.  It’s my hot sauce of choice…always.  On my eggs.  On my tacos.  On anything, really.  But, recently, I’ve been told that I need to spread my wings a little.  That there are wayy better hot sauces out there?  Say whhhattt?  You know I’m always down to try out new stuff, so next week, we’re going to do a hot sauce taste testing.  Not really sure of the logistics just yet.  So, tell me….what’s your fave hot sauce?  What should I add?

Here’s what I’ve picked up for the Hot Sauce Debate so far…..

Valentina // Srirahca // Cholula // Tapatio

 

 

TWO – Madwell Top // I love a good striped tee!  Stripes pretty much go with anything + everything.  You’d die if you saw stripe tee collection in my closet.  I found another good one to add to my selection.  Originally I had a whole post planned for this newby, but when I saw that it was marked down to $29, I decided to scratch that and share it NOW!  This will sell out, and you probably need another one.  You’re welcome!

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Madewell Mock Neck Tank

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THREE – Easy Pickled Red Onions // I got lots of DM’s after posting this on insta-stories yesterday.  So, here ya go!  This is a quick-pickled onion recipe.  Cory claims it’s not authentic enough.  lol.  I had all the ingredients on hand.  And they are killer.  I’ve been topping turkey burgers, sandwiches + salads with these bad boys all week.

My homegirl Nikki, she made pickled cabbage for her ahi tuna tacos last night….fucking outstanding.  That will be on my to-make list for next week!

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

 

Cram all the sliced red onion in a mason jar.  Stick your filled mason jar in the sink, because you will spill and this shit is stinky!

Add all the rest of the ingredients to a sauce pan and bring to a simmer.  Remove from heat.

Pour mixture over the red onions.  Allow to cool.  Then pop them in the fridge.

Enjoy!

 

FOUR – Coffee Table // Kinda like my dinning table settings, I love styling the coffee table.  I love that it’s a small space.  Also a space that gets a lot of attention.  Stealing items from other rooms to change it up is my jam.  I can’t get enough of baby daisies.  I grab a bunch ($3.99) every time I make a TJ’s trip lately.  I believe they’re called chamomiles.  But, I think baby daisies sounds cuter 🙂  So, here’s what my coffee table currently looks like and I’ve linked all the sources below if you need one of these items for your coffee table look!

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{friday 5}

Posted in Community, Decor, diy, fitness, friday, health, home, Kaia, kids, Spring by

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Fucking Friday!  Excuse my French, but I’m clearly really happy about it!  What a week.  Tomorrow is Kentucky Derby + Cinco de Mayo….Trying to figure out a fun way to celebrate the both of them in one day. Hmmm!   Patron is definitely on the menu either way…Ha!

Before you let loose and start celebrating, let’s quickly chat about 5 things first, K?……

 

 

ONE – Patron // RUNNNNN, don’t walk to Nugget.  Today!  Or tomorrow, if they don’t run out of ta-kill-ya.  Patron (little bottles) are on sale for about 1/2 off.  Making them $15/bottle!  You won’t EVER find it that cheap again.  Trust me.  I’m a loyal Patron Silver gal.  I pulled up to Nugget at about 5:55 am to grab my two bottle limit.  And what to my surprise to find my homegirl Jessie parked right in front of me…lol.  We were legit the very first peeps to enter the store.  Picture the commercial where the chicks are standing at the slider doors chanting, Open, Open, Open!  We beelined for the pinche patron.  Took a quick pic and headed out.  Everyone else was ordering coffee and breakfast.  Not us.  Nope!  Just tequila.  Two bottles each…lol.  Now I’m ready for some Skinny, Skinny Margs!

I should have added this to my Mother’s Day Gift Guide!  BTW,  Thank you for the great response on the gift guide.  I truly rack my brain to come up with fun new things that I think every Mama would enjoy!

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TWO – Spring Show // What these girls have been looking forward to since January.  All their hard work is about to pay off!  Bay had a tough year with Rodeo (her pig).  Damn pig just wouldn’t gain like we planned/hoped/wanted.  But do you see that smile?  That’s the smile of a girl who’s pig made weight!  226 lbs to be exact.  Of course we’d hoped for a 275 pounder, but that definitely wasn’t in the cards this year.  The minimum is 200, so that is the smile of a girl who gets to show + sell her pig!  After stressing the last month or so, that she may not be able to.  And at the end of that day, that’s all that really matters!  Proud of you Bay ♥

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THREE – Kaia BRIK // You guys, I survived week #1, barely.  It was touch and go Wednesday…lol.  The challenge/fit test this time around is straight up brutal.  It goes something like this: Jump rope (the devil).  Squat thrust.  Run (the biggest devil). Reverse lunge.  Run (again).  Push-ups.  Run (a-fucking-gain).  KB swings.  Followed by an ab workout.  I die.  Not really, but I hardly made it out alive.  My body hurts so good.  And in other news, I haven’t miss a class in 3 whole weeks.  This is a pretty big deal for me.

I’ve received a few messages asking when I’ll be posting my Pre-BRIK weight/measurements.  Post will be coming next week, but it’s going to be a little different that before.  I’m in the switching shit up kinda mood lately.  So, I’m also doing BRIK (personally) a bit different this time around.  Stay tuned!

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FOUR – Back Patio // I read that if you move your outdoor table right off the main door, you’re likely to use it more.  I really like the sound of that.  So, this week I did some re-arranging.  And it’s true.  The backyard or patio, in my case, is much more inviting.  This week alone, I’ve spent more time in the back than I have since we moved here in September.  I planted a bunch of succulents + plants too.  Once we get our potted herb garden all done, then I’ll share more on our small space.  In the meantime, I highly recommend re-locating your outdoor table visible from your main back door.  It’s entirely too nice out to not go and enjoy it more!

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