{living life to the fullest and turning moments into memories}
Bay Bakes! She’s back at it. I told her last week – she needs to get back on the blog. It’s been a while. In case you missed it….
Bay, my soon to be 13 year old, is the baker in the house. She’s got a major sweet tooth. So, she’s basically always digging through the cupboards for something chocolaty or sugary. You can find all her baking recipes here: {bay bakes}
Continue reading “{chocolate cupcakes with peanut buttercream frosting}”
Leopard Flats (40% off): J.Crew Factory
FRIIIIDAAAYYYY! It’s here! We’re celebrating with a night IN. I’ve got a bottle of chard in the fridge waiting on my arrival. PJ’s are folded up on the foot of my bed…ha! Pizza and movies. We’re gonna have a lit night. Did I say that right? I’ve got 5 things on my mind today……..
Continue reading “{friday 5}”
Happy Monday friends! Hope you all enjoyed that sunshine over the weekend. Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous. Made me so ready for Spring. January is like the longgessttt month ever…and we’re in the final week. I’m looking forward to flipping my calendar to February and a fresh start on a new month. One with less pressure. Less shit to do…..Kinda. Amway, hope your Monday is off to a good start. I’m getting my hair done today, which always puts a smile on my face!
Intentions for the Week:
This week on the blog: Stuffed Bell Pepper recipe. Hopefully I can get my Yosemite post complete. Black on Black on Black #ootd.
Highlights from the weekend……
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!
Hi friends. Thanks to having Monday off…this week is flying by. Bay was home sick yesterday. Luckily she’s back to her spunky self today. I cleared our calendar for the week. Skipped things I/we probably shouldn’t. Just to straight up stay at home! We never, ever do this. But, it felt necessary. You should try it…just saying.
Our house is all set for Fall. Yesterday’s morning rain storm gave me all the feels. But, then it got hot AF and I had to turn the AC on…lol.
Let’s chat about our Fall table. You know I have a thing for a set table. Well, I do!
A beautifully set table makes any meal feel like a special occasion. And yes, we 100% sit at this table and eat dinner every night. I pick up the place settings and move them to the side. Then put them back in place when we’re done. It takes maybe 2 minutes out of my day, so I don’t mind it one bit. Someday, when I grow up (lol) I dream of having a big long formal dining table. It will be set year round. With all the pretty things I can find!
This year I planned the table all around this show stopper. My succulent pumpkin. Real succulents. Spanish moss. Eucalyptus. All spread over the top of a real pumpkin. Keep scrolling and you’ll find the DIY below. I even figured out how to make a printable version, which knocked my own socks off Ha!
My everyday gold flatware. Linen napkins. Gold rimmed stemless wine glasses.
Pulled out my trusty gold-rimmed white dishes too. Bet you can’t guess where I bought them?
I scored these dishes from the Dollar Store. Last Christmas.
The Target dollar spot had rolls of boxwood garland for $3. I picked up one. Which made each wreath place setting and chair backers.
I was inspired to use mini white pumpkins and wreaths after seeing Karen of Serendipity Boutique’s table setting at her own home. Simple + clean + festive.
I picked up the gold leaf garland that is strewn down the center of the table from Serendipity Boutique too. For $12. I think it would look so pretty across a mantle.
Continue reading “{fall table setting + DIY succulent pumpkin}”
It’s Thursday peeps. I stayed up till the butt-crack of dawn prepping + cleaning + packing. We leave for Portland today! Anyone else do that? The night before a trip, stay up all night cleaning + organizing + cooking + decorating…..absolutely anything to avoid packing? I get this crazy urge to make sure my house is clean AF. Just in case a robber breaks in, my shit looks nice and tight? Ha! No, really – I get a huge since of ease knowing everything is tidy and right where it belongs. And it’s gonna be just like that when I return. And I despise packing. #tiredaf
So, as I was editing photos I thought – let’s keep it really real today. Remember when I posted {things I’m afraid to tell you} and I admitted that “I don’t really have marble counter tops” I get DM’s ALL THE TIME about my fake marble counters and it makes me laugh out loud. I think out of all the 11 things, this is the one you guys liked the most!
Here’s what I see…..
Half drank glass of red wine, which is never more than an arm’s length away while I’m cooking.
Random spices.
Cutting boards + knives.
Props and dishes.
Marble slab my homegirl Sarah P gave me. Sometimes I use a roll of marble wrapping paper too.
And lo and behold…my beautiful tile counter tops.
Would you even follow me or make my recipe if I posted that? Ha!
Greek salad meal prep for a week! 4 days to be exact. Because, even I, a creature of habit. One that can eat the same thing over and over. Can only do 4 solid days before I need something new up in the mix. Ha!
Before we get to the recipe, I’m going to answer a question I get ALL THE TIME. Meal prep. Who? What? How?
I know so many people who stop by the grocery store on their way home from work to grab that evenings dinner. Personally that gives me the chills. I despise going to the grocery store. Well, other than Trader Joe’s. So, I make it a once a week thing. Which could give you the chills…lol. With a little practice and some strategy, I promise you can do this too. It’s such a life/time saver!
Tips for easy meal-prep
1 – Pull out your calendar. Take a peek at the week ahead. Realistically, how many days will you be home for dinner. Meetings, sports, kids activities, happy hours all play into this. My goal is to cook at least 3 of the weeknights. And plan for leftovers the nights I wont have time. Picking recipes that can double duty. Like, cook extra chicken one night for dinner. Make soup or chop up extra chicken for salads the next night. I know that if I have a meeting on a Tuesday night, I need to:
A.) prep or cook the night before.
B.) plan something super simple.
C.) pick up dinner somewhere.
2 – Pick one day a week to decide on actual meals. Every Wednesday I do my meal plan for the following week. Now that you’ve figured out how many meals you need to plan for the upcoming week. Flip thought magazines. Scroll through pinterest. Pull out all your fave cookbooks. Just pick a day and make it happen. I actually enjoy this part! Then write it out in the notes on your phone.
Monday – chicken + rice + veggies
Tuesday – chicken tacos + green salad
etc…
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!
Continue reading “{no churn circus animal cookie ice cream}”
I like carbs and I cannot lie! The way I see it, God invented carbs for a reason! #yolo
This isn’t your typical meat sauce + noodles. It’s light and refreshing.
It’s an unexpected combo that works so so well together! Perfect for a summer side dish. I typically have all the ingredients on hand too!
A couple of thing before we get started. “Good” olive oil is KEY! It’s one of the main ingredients on this dish. I bet you already know what I’m going to say, huh? Seka Hills Olive Oil is the #1 in my book. I don’t even mess with the store-bought stuff anymore.
You guys, Seka Hills invited me out for a farm tour a few weeks ago. I’m still blown away. Over 17,000 acres! Different olive varieties. Grapes #wineo Almond trees. Honey (bay’s fave) Asparagus, which I have a new-found respect for. Not that I didn’t love it before, but did you know asparagus has to be harvested daily? By hand! It’s a labor of love, my friends!
60 acres of asparagus. Crazy, right?
The honey!
Did you know they grow all the produce that is distributed to wine club members? I figured they sourced it out. Nope! This photo below is where they grow the produce we get! Just another plus!
Oh and if you’re interested in joining their wine club, here’s all the info: Seka Hills Wine Clubs
And can we talk about the fact they now have Beef Club, I might need to get in on that one.
But the olive trees, they are beyond impressive. Seka just released a new variety of Olive Oil. It’s called the Tribal Blend. It’s a unique blend of estate Frantoio + Picual + Arbequina. The results are a medium to robust intensity. It’s different. More bold.
This week, I cracked open my second bottle of the Tribal Blend EVOO! And It’s what I used in this Lemon Spaghetti recipe!!
Basically, I’m obsessed with it.
The funny thing, I’ll drink cheap ass wine. Pizza from Little Caesars. But when it comes to olive oil, I straight up do not mess around with the cheap stuff. Ha!
#oliveoilsnob
Lemon Spaghetti //
Here’s what you’ll need:
