{weekend notes}

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

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!

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!

While Bay boogied, we had SOL margs!

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.

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

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

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

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

Caprese Egg Cups //

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

Over avocado toast!

Bay Bakes //

Bay made a delicious dessert for us!

Also coming to the blog this week 🙂

Cousins pool day //

Happiest + cutest baby ever!

Say cheese!

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.

Always laying on me.

From this

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28May2018

{mexican burgers}

Posted in Cooking, Food, foodie, Holiday Whore, Holidays, Kid Food, Recipe, weekend by xoxostacyb

Happy Memorial Day friends! Let’s take a moment to honor + remember those who served this country and give them thanks ♥

Sun’s out, fun’s out! Buns out too! Burger buns, that is 🙂

Remember Friday when I asked you guys on Instagram Stories what you wanted to see today?

It was really close, but the wining vote was for Mexican Burgers!

If you voted for the DIY tie dye napkins + outdoor table setting, don’t even trip. It’s coming this week too!

I think it’s safe to say that most of us will be enjoying something off the barbecue today. If you’re throwing some burgers on the barbie, then you’re gonna want to keep reading…..

Meet my new best friend, the Mexican Burger! You know I love jazzing up the ol classics! And this one is nothing short of that.

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23May2018

{oatmeal peanut butter cookies}

Posted in Bay Bakes, fashion, Food, foodie, horseback riding, jcrew addict, Kid Food, kid style, kids, mom & me, Random shit, Recipe, sale by xoxostacyb

Bay bakes, again!

Before we get to the cookie recipe, let’s do a quick little Bay update……

Spring Show/ 4-H is OVER! Pig is sold. Tablesetting is over. Baking, will contiune in our own kitchen. Now to complete the Record Book. In my opinion, the worst ever.

I take that back, we are sitting in on a 4-H county meeting tonight to make up for a missing club meeting. Think I can sneak wine? I hear they are boring AF!

Bay was elected the 2018-2019 Willow Oak 4-H Secretary. She’s so excited.

English horseback riding is the only activity Bay is currently doing. BIG thanks to Sara for making it happen. I remember when we had riding + swim team + gymnastics + soccer all at the same time. WTF was I thinking? Ha! #lessonlearned

Filled out all the paperwork for Bay to begin Faith Formation again. I was never confirmed. I blame it on Mary Ann though 🙂

Summer camps: Volleyball + algebra academy + ASES. Along with some babysitting and ditching me to hang with Gram + cousins in Tahoe.

Bay shaved her legs over the weekend. I sat outside the tub and coached her. I felt so proud and devastated at the same time. Where did my hairy legged baby go?

In 16 day, Bay (and I) will no longer be Plainfield Elementary School peeps. This is a hard one! We’ve loved this school for seven years. No more carpool. No more PTA? Shit is getting real…let me tell you!

6th grade promotion is also 16 days away (11 school days to be precise) Thanks for all your instagram story poll votes, Bay picked out her 6th grade promotion dress.

Dress #1 // Dress #2 // Dress #3 // Dress #4

She picked Dress #4

Did I mention there is a 6th grade dance on June 1st at the Community Center? ONLY 6th graders….No parents allowed. OMG. Promotion. Shaving legs. And now a dance too? Dying! So, in true crazy mama fashion, I ordered Dress #1 + Dress #2 for her to choose between for the dance. Because, “you can’t wear that same dress to both” according to Bay. Not sure where she’s heard that shit from? In my defense, J.Crew is having a killer deal. All the dresses are marked down 40% + free shipping.

Now, what you’re really all here for…..

The cookie recipe! Bay did it again with this one. Hit it out of the ballpark.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies //

Soft + chewy. Peanut buttery little slice of heaven. And chances are, you’ll have everything in your pantry you need to whip up a batch. Beware, the dough is insane!

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21May2018

{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 xoxostacyb

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 ♥

GG + baby Daniel

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

Kid table

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

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.

Bay Bakes //

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

Skinny, Skinny Margs //

While I made margs…Ha!

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.

I can get used to days like this!

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

Skinny, Skinny Margs round 2

Pool date #2 //

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

Charcuterie (kiddie) platter #2

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24Apr2018

{taco pizza}

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

What happens when a taco meets a pizza? Let’s taco-bout it……

That was so bad, sorry…HA!

Raise your hand if you love tacos?

Raise your hand if you love pizza?

It’s safe to say, I see all your hands in the air.

I think we all know by now, that pizza is my jam. Tacos are a very close runner-up though. So, why not combine the two for Taco Tuesday?

Years and years ago, I made a taco pizza. I totally forgot about it, till last week. I decided to re-create it. Give it a shot. See what my peeps think.

Well, it was a hit! I got thumbs up!

Kinda like a Mexican Pizza, but kinda not. You know what I mean?

Let’s take a moment and marvel at that pizza. That crust. Those toppings. Bubbly cheese.

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19Apr2018

{double chocolate banana bread}

Posted in Bay Bakes, Cooking, Food, foodie, Kid Food, Recipe by xoxostacyb

Hey friends! Nothing is a bigger buzz kill then going about your morning like it’s Friday. Then realizing it’s only Thursday. FML! I never do that. Switched my carpool day and I think it totally threw me off. I even said Happy Friday to my co-workers when I walked in the office…Haha.

This morning I hit the pavement with my homegirl Sarah P. It was so nice to be outdoors at the butt-crack of dawn, for a change. I was thinking, damn, I’ve been in a really good mood all week. Then it hit me. It’s because I’ve worked out each morning. I’m telling you, that shit is good for not only the body, but for the mind + the soul. For every-damn-thing. I REALLY need to stay on this workout everyday thing.

Anyway, since I had some extra time this morning, I whipped up something sweet for my girl. She’s got the sweet tooth in the house. We had nasty bananas. And I hate throwing them out, knowing I could make something delicious. Bay looovveeesss chocolate. So, I googled it. Found so many recipes. Combined about 4 different recipes to use ingredients I had on hand. And you guys…..

The Double Chocolate Banana Bread came out fucking magical! (sorry Mom)

Always thought this was a weird combo, but I promise you…it works!

So much better than I imagined. I used only brown sugar, which keeps baked good super moist. I mean, there were lots of other ingredients too, but typically when I use brown sugar, I also use regular sugar as well. Not needed this time.

I reserved half of the chocolate chips to sprinkle over the top. They didn’t fully melt, so when you take a bite…OMG, it’s like soft little clouds of rich chocolate. I die!

Are you over listing to me go on and on? Me too!

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9Apr2018

{mexican hot pot}

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

M O N D A Y // back to work after 10 days of Spring Break. It’s bittersweet. I’m craving my routine + schedule, but feel like just one more day would sure be nice lol. Anyone else with me? And the rain in the forecast, I can’t. But it gives me a reason to share this soup recipe I’ve been saving…..

I’m sure by now we are all familiar with Pho. That shit is delish. And the Pho restaurant closest to us is called Pho King. So, depending on how you pronounce Pho (“fuh”), the name of the restaurant if kinda fun to say. Fuh-king.

Anyway, if you dig Pho, then you’ll dig this! A hot pot is traditionally a Chinese soup containing Asian ingredient. It’s prepared at the dinning table in a simmering pot of soup stock. While the stock is simmering, ingredients are added. Like, thinly sliced meats + veggies + seafood. Then ladled over noodles, like Pho.

Sounds good huh?

Then you throw a mexican twist and ladle over rice. Boom! You’ve got a mexican hot pot.

Bay devoured this soup! My Mom (the official taste tester) gave it a thumbs up. So, it’s basically a keeper. And a sharer.

This hot pot would be a fun dish to make for company. Especially picky eaters. Each soup bowl can be customized with favorite toppings.

I’m BIG on toppings. The more the merrier. Bay just a little cotija + lime and she’s good to go.

And you can’t forget the avocado crema. OMG. Crema is my jam. Stir it in last-minute and you’ll be a happy camper.

I was finally able to give my Martha Stewart cookware a run for it’s money. Best gift ever. Thanks Mom!!!

Here’s what you’ll need:

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29Mar2018

{easter lunchbox + bunny ear cupcakes}

Posted in Bay Bakes, Crafting, diy, Food, foodie, Holiday Whore, Holidays, Kid Food, kids, mom & me, Recipe, Spring by xoxostacyb

It’s Thursday! You know what that means to this girl? I get to chug wine and drop the F bomb again in just three short days! Lent will be over and my sugar cleanse comes to an end. Can I get a big ol WHOOP WHOOP!!!

Perfect timing for Spring Break…lol! Thanks to Destiny, I grabbed the BEST bottle of chard I’ve ever seen. It’s called “hard chard”….I mean, it was kinda made for my girl Nikki + I!

Going to bust it open and possibly drink it from the bottle on Easter ~~afternoon~~….morning! And I’m not planning on sharing either.

In other news, it hit me last week…..

This is my last Easter Lunchbox. Excuse me while I wipe away the tears.

Pretty sure Bay’s not going to be rockin the bento box with a bunny shaped sando to Middle School.

You guys, this is proof that not everything I try is a hit. There are so many recipes + ideas + products I try that are a total FLOP! So I chuck them. But I thought I’d share some evidence.

I decided to try something different. How about a bunny quesadilla?

Sent this to Cory and he said “don’t quit your day job” and “looks like a cat” LOL!

Bay hid her chuckles. Probably because she knew I was hiding my last Easter lunchbox tears.

I may just have to start embarrassing my nephews and sending them with my crazy Holiday themed lunches. Joe would probably DIE!

So I went with the tried and true Easter egg lunch. I blogged about this back in 2016 here: {easter lunchbox love}

ANYONE can dupicate this. All you have to do is gather your kiddos fave snacks. The smaller the better.

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23Mar2018

{friday 5}

Posted in Cooking, fashion, Food, foodie, friday, jcrew addict, Kid Food, kid style, kids, mom & me, ootd, Outfit Details, Products, Recipe, Spring, weekend by xoxostacyb

Happy Friday 5! I’m ready to jump up and down like the carpool girls! The sun is shining and I cant wait to burn off from work and get the weekend started! Even stuck my patron in the fridge to chill. That means Skinny Skinny Margs asap! Cheers!

It has been such a good week over here at xoxostacyb. So many new followers…it makes my heart happy! Next week I’m going to over share ALL THE THINGS Easter. So brace yourself….this Holiday Whore is going all out lol. In a good way! I think.

Here are some things I’m currently diggin…..

ONE – Currently snacking on // Why is it when I give up sugar, I crave apples? I never, ever crave fruit. And not just any apple, it has to be a honeycrisp. Super thinly sliced. Just how Bay requests her apples to be slices. Topped with my homemade almond butter. Then a dash of cinnamon. Holy apples. It’s so dang good. Try it!

Since it’s better than what I was snacking on earlier this month (girl scout cookies) I’ve been going with it here and there to curb my GS cookie craving…lol.

TWO – Currently obsessed with // This eyelash separator. I’d never even heard of such a thing till a couple of weeks ago. I started following thebeyoutybureau and she pulled one out of her bag of tricks. I was in awwww. It worked so well. So I went to Target and got myself one….Ha! I use it before I put on my mascara. Then right after I apply mascara. It’s legit! Too legit to quit!

JAPONESQUE Velvet Touch Eyelash Separator

THREE – Bay’s currently diggin // Homemade granola. Peanut Butter Granola to be exact. She tops her morning yogurt. Ice cream. Over milk. I try to not grab a handful every time she opens the jar. It’s so good. And so super easy. We ran out of the TJ’s almond granola the other day. So, I gathered ingredients from the pantry and gave it a shot.

Here’s what you’ll need:

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9Mar2018

{turkey meatballs over sweet potato ribbons}

Posted in Cooking, Food, foodie, friday, Healthy, Kid Food, Recipe, Trader Joes, weekend by xoxostacyb

Day #4 of the Trader Joe’s recipe round-up! Not going to lie, I am so sick of talking about food…lol. It’s been a food filled few days and I’m ready to move on to some cute #ootd’s or some kind of decor. Who’s with me?

What a week! Getting home from Tahoe and taking off to Alliance Redwoods the next morning, kicked my butt. Bay’s now home!!! Ready to get back into the swing of things!

Weekend plans: kickin it! I’m itching to get some Spring cleaning done too. Even though there is rain in the forecast. The month of March always gets me wanting to clean + organize. My closet desperatly needs some attention! Meal prep. Monday, I will be doing a little 2-day cleanse followed by a sugar cleanse for the remainder of the month. Drink some wine with the girls! Polish off the rest of the girl scout cookies.

Sounds like a damn good plan to me. What’s on your agenda for the weekend?

Bay claims that I saved the best for last…..

Turkey meatballs!

Trader Joe’s products used to create this meal: