Category Archives: Kitchen

{asian meatballs}

Posted in Food, foodie, Healthy, Kitchen, Products, Recipe, Target, Weight Watchers by

I need to come up with a new name for this recipe. It just sounds bad. Or is my mind in the gutter? Ha!

Friends – I tried a new air fryer recipe the other night. Annnddd, it was a hit! Bay and I both had it for dinner. Then lunch the next day. We loved it! I’m including oven direction with this recipe as well, since I’ve also made it back in the day before air fryers were a thing.

This recipe tastes so fresh + delicious. The best part – it’s healthy and totally Weight Watchers friendly. You guys, I’m back on the WW train. I’ve been tip toeing around the program for the last month and last week, I am BACK!

And right when I get back, the entire program changes. FML! Now you get 3 options. Say whhhattt? I’m currently using the old program, but I’m attending the Saturday meeting to get all the details. So I can decide which option works best for me. Stay tuned.

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{DIY pumpkin centerpiece}

Posted in diy, fall, Halloween, Holiday Whore, Holidays, home, Kitchen, Products, Pumpkin, ShopStyle, Target by

Wood Pumpkin Serve Board (on sale) | 9″ Pumpkin Halloween Décor Cream | Orange Berry Stem | Light Up Skull (similar) | Candle: Chloe & Co Golden Moss

The Faux Pumpkin Centerpiece DIY was born last week. I typically stick with the real deal when it comes to pumpkins. I just love real pumpkins. The colors. The textures. I legit cannot get enough…Ha! But, if you remember from last year, I had a little mishaps with the REAL pumpkin centerpiece. Although it was fucking gorgeous, it almost ruined my life.

Okay, I may be exaggerating a little bit.

It rotted out. I picked it up to move it and the whole pumpkin melted in my hands. All over my carpet + dining room table. The smell that came off that thing could probably kill some kind of small animal. It was horrific. Ha! I shared a photo of it below for old times sake.

{thanksgiving table setting // DIY centerpiece}

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{fall home refresh}

Posted in Coffee Table, Decor, diy, fall, Holiday Whore, Holidays, home, Kitchen, Organization, Products, Pumpkin, ShopStyle, Table Setting, Target, Trader Joes by

Hanging Basket with Leather Handle | Faux String of Pearls Plant | Faux Pampas Grass: Amazon // West Elm

It’s almost that time. I can smell it. I can feel it. Fall is officially here on September 23rd. Summer is my boo, but I think Fall just might possibly be my #1! Here are some ways that I welcomed Fall to our home. Easy things you can do without spending a ton of money. Just simple touches that make a BIG difference.

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{chocolate cupcakes with peanut buttercream frosting}

Posted in Bay Bakes, Kid Food, kids, Kitchen, Recipe by

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}

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{friday 5}

Posted in Cooking, Food, foodie, friday, health, Healthy, Kid Food, kids, Kitchen, mom & me, Products, ShopStyle by

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……..

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{weekend notes}

Posted in Celebrity News, Cooking, Cool spots, Food, foodie, friday, friends, jcrew addict, kids, Kitchen, mom & me, ootd, Outfit Details, Recipe, sale, ShopStyle, Target, Trader Joes, Wine by

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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:

  • write thank you notes
  • pull out valentines day decor and get festive af
  • share stuffed bell pepper recipe
  • catch up on laundry
  • delete photos off my phone
  • hit my fitness + water goals
  • build the Omega Nu website…finally
  • have my mom + sis over for a facemask + wine night
  • make breakfast egg cups
  • give homemade celery juice a shot

 

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……

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{magnolia table lemon bars}

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

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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

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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.

Magnolia Table Cookbook

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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!

 

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{fall table setting + DIY succulent pumpkin}

Posted in Crafting, Decor, diy, fall, gold, Halloween, Holiday Whore, Holidays, home, Kitchen, Products, Pumpkin, Table Setting, Trader Joes by

 

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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?

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I scored these dishes from the Dollar Store.  Last Christmas.

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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.

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{asian turkey + green beans}

Posted in Cooking, Food, foodie, Healthy, instagram, Kid Food, kids, Kitchen, mom & me, Random shit, Recipe by

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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!

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