Category Archives: Kid Food

{weekend notes}

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

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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!

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The OG’s – The original 4!

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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

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3 generations!

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

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{sausage + potato + broccoli sheet pan meal}

Posted in Cooking, Food, foodie, Healthy, Kid Food, Recipe by

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You guys, today is my first recipe post with my new blog format.  And I’m BEYOND excited to announce there is now an option to “print” the recipe.  Ahh!  I’m so frickin happy I could cry!  Ha!  This has been a long time coming and I’m crazy excited that everything is finally falling into place on this space of mine!

Pretty please drop me a line and let me know if it works properly for you.  And more than anything if you find this as helpful as I do!

Now let’s get to the recipe…..

So, you know I’m a big fan of easy weeknight dinners.  Let’s keep it real.  It’s such a busy time of the year.  Anyone else straight up dead at the end of the day?  But, still want to serve your family a healthy dinner and sit around the table?  Chat about the days peaks + pits?  Me too!

I made this super simple sheet pan recipe last night.  And it was such a hit at our house that I changed up todays original blog post to share it today!  I couldn’t wait.

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{trader joe’s haul}

Posted in Cooking, Food, foodie, Healthy, Kid Food, Recipe, Trader Joes, Wine by

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I asked.  You voted!  128 YES “show us your TJ’s haul” So let’s do it!

I first wrote about my LOVE for TJ’s back in March of 2016.  Many of the items I’m sharing today, you will also find on  {20 trader joe’s products i’m obsessed with}

I re-read the post and I think this is my favorite part, and still totally true:

Little does anyone know, I’m mainly there for the flowers, cheese and carbs….maybe something organic.  Sometimes.

Haha.  100% accurate!  I reward myself with a bottle of chard + the 99 cent bag of dark chocolate covered almonds after every successful trip too!

It’s clear that I have a THING for Trader Joe’s.  Other than Target, it’s my most frequented store that I don’t hate spending time in.

Another, more recent post {food finds} I added some newer TJ’s finds.

One time I even blogged about {$12 grocery store arrangement} I but fresh flowers weekly and TJ’s by far, has the best + most inexpensive selection!  I also made {floral + herb smudge stick diy} with TJ’s stems.  Probably my favorite TJ’s floral purchase – eucalyptus.  Remember when I made this for my shower? {a little of this + a little of that}

And if you scroll all the way to the bottom, I’ve linked up all my Trader Joe’s recipes for you too!

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SOME OF OUR FAVORITE TRADER JOE’S PRODUCTS 

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{slow cooker salsa chicken // and back to school hacks}

Posted in Cooking, Food, foodie, Kid Food, kid style, kids, mom & me, Organization, Products, Random shit, Recipe, Summertime by

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The end of summer is almost here.  Can you believe it?  Me either.  We’ve created so many great memories over the last couple of months.  Everything from camping trips.  Long weekends + weeks at the cabin in Tahoe.  Catching crabs on the coast.  Weekend getaways to the city.  All the fun must come to an end.

With school about to start, it’s time to get back into the swing of things.  I thought it would be fun to do a little back to school series?  What do you think?  Highlighting everything from back to school shopping.  Organization.  Morning routines.  All the things to ease back into school mode.

This morning, Bay + I had planned to do a little practice run.  #fail  Ha!  We  were going to pretended it was the first day of school.  Get up early.  Do all the things.  But, I said F it and went to the gym, the grocery store and drank 2 cups of coffee.  I decided I deserved one last chaotic-free morning.

So, tomorrow will probably be an absolute shit-show.  You know what I mean?

But, one thing I got planned out is easy dinners for the week.  That also create lunch leftovers.  Can I get a hell yeah?

 

This one you’re gonna want to “pin” to your Pinterest page.  Screen shot.  Print it out.  Whatever you do.  I promise you and your family will love it.  It’s my go-to, no-fail, easy 2 ingredient dinner.  It’s crazy versatile too!  I’ll even show you 3 meals I made out of one slow cooker recipe.

 

Here’s what you need:

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{magnolia table chocolate chip cookies}

Posted in Bay Bakes, Cooking, foodie, Kid Food, kids, mom & me, Recipe, Summertime by

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Today we’re off to 7th grade orientation.  You guys, how did this happen?  We’re at Middle school…not Plainfield Elementary anymore.  It seems like just yesterday I was walking in to drop my girl off to her first day of Kindergarten.  Now 7th grade.  So may milestones got us here.  And so many milestones to go.

Okay, I’m done with all the sappy shit.  Let’s talk cookies!

Bay bakes!!  Again!  While I’m on a sugar cleanse to top it off!

Bay has used this Magnolia Table cookie recipe about 4 times now.  She made them for home…twice.  Baked 4 batches for dessert the night we served at Fourth + Hope.

This recipe calls for half the butter than any other cookies recipe I’ve made before.  So, I was intrigued.  And only brown sugar, which I’m totally down with.  This mother + daughter duo are big on brown sugar.

We checked out the Magnolia Table Cookbook from the library.    We dogeared all the pages as if it were our own book.  Remember, I’m cheap AF.  I’m not big on buying books.  Once I flip through them once, I shove them away and typically never look at them again.  But this one, this one I may have to purchase.  It’s good.

I even made a list of which recipes I want to try first:

Eggs Benedict Casserole

Flatbread Pizza (surprise, surprise)  TJ’s just came out with a new GF flatbread too!

Layered Arugula Salad

Brussels with crispy bacon, toasted pecans & balsamic reduction

Mina’s Lemon Bars (Bay’s making them this week and I get to be the taste tester)

So, if you’re in the market for a new coffee table book, grab this one.  You may even be inspired to open it up and make a recipe or two.

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Here’s what you’ll need:

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{taco salad bowls}

Posted in Cooking, fashion, Food, foodie, Healthy, Kid Food, kids, ootd, Outfit Details, Recipe, Target by

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Surround yourself with tacos not negativity!  WORD!!!

It’s Taco Tuesday friends.  If you know me, then you know we’re having tacos tonight.  Sometimes we have tacos on Wednesday’s.  Even Thursday’s some weeks.  But, Tuesday’s.  Tuesday’s were made for tacos!

Tacos salad bowls have been on the menu quit a but lately.  I’m all about that easy + healthy weeknight dinner.  Here’s why:

  1. Simple + healthy + fresh
  2. I always meal prep the meat over the weekend so it’s ready to go.
  3. Customizable – each person can top their salad with whatever toppings they love
  4. Great for leftovers
  5. EVERYONE loves tacos.  EVERYONE!

 

The taco salad bowl shell is Bay’s new thing.  She loves them with pinto beans spread over the bottom.  Yumm!  Have you ever made them at home before?  You’re going to die when you see how easy it really it.  You don’t need any fancy cooking gadgets or tools either.

 

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Don’t get intimidated by the list of ingredients.  I will sometimes read a recipe and immediately say NOPE.  Just by the amount of items listed.  I promise you, this recipe is so simple.

Here’s what you need:

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{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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{chicken caesar salad pizza}

Posted in Cooking, Food, foodie, Kid Food, Recipe, Trader Joes by

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Made a salad for dinner!  Okay fine, it was pizza.  Chicken caesar salad pizza, so basically salad, right?

I combined two of my loves.  Pizza + caesar salad.  Insert mouth-watering!  Pizza has always been my guilty pleasure.  Caesar salad is my newest obsession.  Nothing better than a crisp cold caesar salad with parm + salt + pepper.  This week I’m even grilling the romaine to switch it up a little.  Stay tuned.

The results: absolutely delicious!

The crispy warm pizza crust.  Melty cheese.  Topped with cold crunchy salad.  I’m telling you, this pizza is a game changer.

Bay gave me the best compliment ever!  “This pizza is better than Papa Murphy’s” and she LOVES her Papa Murphys pizza…Ha!

I’ll take it!

You can take on the recipe two different ways.  Make the dressing from scratch, which would bring this to a whole nother level.  And make homemade pizza dough.  Yumm!

Or you could make this a quick + easy weeknight dinner with a few ingredients from the store.

Trader Joe’s has the best store-bought pizza dough.  It comes in a bag in the refrigerated section.  You can choose from original, whole wheat or garlic + herb.  They are $1.29 for 1 lb of dough.  And it’s damn good.  You take it out of the bag and place on a work surface sprinkled with flour and leave it there for 1 hour.  The package says 20 minutes, but it’s so much easier to roll out when at room temp.  This is a step you cannot skip!

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And if you wanna make this a whole-lot easier, grab a caesar salad bagged salad kit + rotisserie chicken.  Boom!

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