{top 5 favorite beaches}

August 28, 2018August 28, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

We are on our final week of August….holy smokes, how did that happen? September is the craziest month (other than December) of the year, in my opinion. Everything begins. School. Sports. 4-H. Activities. Omega Nu. Faith Formation. Boosters. My head is spinning just typing all this…yikes. Already planning September blog content too.

But, before we get into fall + September. Before I start sharing transitioning to fall clothing. Before I set my fall tablescape. Before I start filling my feed with casseroles + comfort food recipes.

I HAVE to share my favorite beaches!

I’ve been writing this post since……

Last summer. I kept starting and stopping. The problem is, I had the hardest time ever narrowing down five beaches. Honestly, I could easily do 10!

I want nothing more than to ditch work early on Friday’s and head to the nearest beach. Bury my toes in the in the sand. Open an ice-cold bud light lime. Turn on some country music and lounge in the sun.

This my friends, is my paradise. Even if it’s only 2 hours from home at the Lake or the Ocean. There is absolutely nothing more relaxing and good for the soul than sitting on a beach!

While the water may not be warm enough for swimming. Toe dipping is always do-able. Seashell hunting is possible. Picnicking is always a good time. Or just sitting on your ass staring at the waves.

Here is a list of my favorite beaches, tested + approved by yours truly.

Continue reading “{top 5 favorite beaches}” →

Adventure · California · Cool spots · family · friday · hiking · kids · Lake Tahoe · mom & me · ootd · Outfit Details · Summertime · travel · weekend

{weekend notes}

August 27, 2018August 27, 2018 xoxostacyb2 Comments

Hello Monday! After the weekend we had, I woke up refreshed and ready to take on the new week. Last week almost, kinda, sorta killed me. So, a relaxed couple of days in my most favorite place was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Intentions for the Week:

load up on H2O
use all the produce I’ve been gifted
face mask + mani night with Bay ♥
write out recipe for grilled steak with corn salad
18k steps per day
finish up {things I’m loving} post
share what I’ve given up for 30 days
make grilled hasselback potatoes
pack + prep for camping trip
donate/sale 5 items from my closet
miracle grow all my plants
go through Bay’s jeans…she wont stop growing
continue being punctual AF

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

Highlights from the weekend…..

We began the weekend the best way, celebrating. A little impromptu dinner.

I used to throw the most elaborate Birthday parties. With ponies + Disney Princesses + giant bounce houses + Taylor Swift cover band + butterfly releases. You name it! For about 8 years. Spent hundreds. Invited anyone and everyone. Now I tape homemade Happy Birthday banners that were made minutes before, to the wall. But guess what? Bay thought it was the coolest shit ever. And it didn’t cost me a dime. Crazy how things change and evolve over the years of being a parent.

We did, however, get the Timothy’s Bakery funfetti birthday cake. This is one of our many birthday traditions that will never change.

Bay + GG ♥

GG testing out Bay’s new beats by dre. And I kinda love that her life alert is sticking out around her next. God, I love her!

(Photo cred: Kissey)

Bay made a saran wrap ball game filled with money + candy.

That shit got wild!

About to boomerang!

I wrapped up Bay’s lunch for school. She said #embarrassing 🙂

Cory won for most creative wrapping papper. Nugget bag with sale adds as tissue paper.

Packing list for Tahoe:

Strawberry Lodge pit stop. It’s a tradition!

Cabin, sweet cabin ♥

This place never gets old!

Lake Tahoe Pizza Co. Another Friday night tradition. We walk to pizza. It’s right around the corner from the cabin. We secretly hope we see bears too…lol.

Home of the liters of red wine. And delicious pizza! Be still my heart!

Hey bartender.

Everything tastes better at the cabin too. Like my avocado toast.

Pope beach twins!

My dress is and old J.Crew from years ago. I scored Bay’s on super sale though….

Girls’ neon ruffle dress

Toes in the water

Ass in the sand

Not a worry in the world

A cold beer in my hand

Life is good today!

When you drive through Camp Richardson and there isn’t a line to the street at the Ice Cream Parlor, you GOOOO!

They say you only get 18 summers with your kids. I call bullshit. I’m 36 and my mom still can’t shake me! Hard to see but we’re 9,100 feet in the air on the HeavenlyMountain gondola with the most beautiful view of Lake Tahoe behind us!

We decided to try something new to us. We’ve always talked about going to the top of Heavenly, but just never do it.

Lot’s of time spent suspended in the sky with views like this. It even stops sometimes. Scary AF!

You have to hop out at the observation deck. Super cool 360 views of Lake Tahoe.

And picnic areas like this.

Continue reading “{weekend notes}” →

Celebrity News · Cool spots · friday · friends · Lake Tahoe · Summertime · travel · weekend · Wine · Wine Tasting

{weekend notes}

July 16, 2018July 20, 2018 xoxostacyb6 Comments

Happy Monday friends! We survived another Celebrity Golf Tourney. As always, such a good time. Friends + sunshine + celebrities + drinks! That’s what this annual weekend trip is all about. Hope you all had a killer couple of days too. Now back into the swing of things. Luckily I made prior plans to meet my homegirl for an early (4:30 am) workout….otherwise I’m pretty sure my snooze button would have gotten a good workout…HA! Bay started Algebra Academy this morning. And I’m hosting a rosé tasting + OC Housewives season premier this evening. Have you watched the trailer? It’s going to be ridiculous…just how I like it!

Intentions for the week:

~~Host a rosé tasting~~ – (gonna tell you all about it)
Find a sunflower field – (hopefully this week)
~~Make caprese salad~~ – (my fave. trying it with avocado this week)
~~Go see Mama Mia with Bay in the theater~~ – (so, so good Bay couldn’t stop dancing)
~~Tell you all about the perfect white denim I found~~ – (come this week)
~~Stay away from Target~~ – (I did it….till Friday, but I had stuff I legit needed)
Donate/sale 10 items from my closet – (pulled the items, but that’s as far as I got)
Try a new foundation…maybe back to Estée Lauder? – (getting color matched this week whoop-whoop)
Play tennis – (too damn hot for that shit)
~~Finish cabin laundry~~ – (done √)
~~Send back returns~~ – (done √)

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

Highlights from the weekend……..

This was my third + final weekend in Tahoe for the month. I’m tired! Ha!

Always a pit stop at Strawberry Lodge. And the bartenders are getting better + better at making a skinny, skinny marg each time!

Pizza + carafe of red wine at Lake Tahoe Pizza Co. It’s just how we roll.

Quite possibly the highlight of the weekend…..karaoke at the Classic Cue. If you follow any of us on Insta-stories, then you know what I’m talking about. Classic Cue never disappoints on a Friday night. And we even roped some of our favorite Golf Tourney homies to partake in the amazingness!

Best part – one of the singers from Friday night, just so happened to be Andrea’s uber driver Saturday morning. LOL! You can’t even make this shit up.

Celebrity Golf Tournament

The 17th hole at Edgewood is such a show off!

We got the guys to take 1 picture the whole day. Thank god it turned out 🙂

Drink of choice: skinny, skinny margs. AKA tequila on the rocks with a squeeze of lime.

Continue reading “{weekend notes}” →

Adventure · Lake Tahoe · Movies · Nordstrom · sale · Summertime · travel · weekend

{friday 5}

July 13, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

Who else is ready to shake a tail feather? We’re headed back to Tahoe and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s our annual no-kids Tahoe trip for the Celebrity Golf Tournament. Which means we’re gonna have a damn good time. Ha! Hope you all had a great week! And even better weekend 🙂

5 things on my mind…….

ONE – Portland, OR // You guys, Cory surprised me and booked a 4-day Portland Trip. Get this – I’ve never been to Oregon! Swear. I’ve hardly been anywhere outside CA to be perfectly honest. We chatted the other night about making a goal to visit a new State each year and he straight up delivered!! Okay, so I need ALL THE THINGS Portland. Where to eat. Where to stay. What do to. Bar, ALL the bars. We are renting a car to check out Cannon Beach (staying 1 night) #bucketlist and Multnomah Falls. I think could spend the entire day on Pinterest pinning everything.

Check out what I’ve pinned so far: xoxostacyb – Portland

TWO – Nordy’s Sale // In case you haven’t heard, there is a sale going on at Nordstrom…lol! Not going to bore the shit out of you, promise. But, there’s some good stuff that I think we need to go over real quick:

Zella Leggings $35 // Madewell Step Hem Jeans $34 (call and ask for a price match) // BP Cardigan $31 // Halogen Seamless Bandeau $11 // Free People Thermal $44 // Top Shop Cardi $49 // North Face Jacket $68 // Top Shop Dress $39 // Top Shop Leather Jacket $47 // Madewell Black Skinny Jeans $84 // Free People Sweater $51 // Nike Sneakers $55 // Raw Hem Tee’s $11 // Studded Mules $49 // VANS $42 // Black Studded Boots $129 // Fleece Pullover $51 // Camo Military Jacket $149

And that’s just to name a few of my top picks! What’s in your cart? Tell me all about it. I love this shit 🙂

Continue reading “{friday 5}” →

Adventure · California · Cooking · Cool spots · family · friday · Holidays · kids · Lake Tahoe · mom & me · Summertime · travel · weekend

{weekend notes}

July 9, 2018July 13, 2018 xoxostacyb2 Comments

Welcome Monday! With open arms. I can’t even remember the last time those words came out of my mouth….or in this case, typed on my keyboard. It’s amazing what a relaxing weekend PLUS a goodnight sleep does for the soul. Woke up ready to kick this weeks ass! Even got some early morning steps, which hasn’t happened in far too long. Monday’s are for fresh starts and I’m all about it today! Just hope I feel the same way tomorrow 🙂

Intentions for the week:

~~Keep Bay entertained~~ – (pool dates + sleepovers + riding)
~~Celebrate Alex’s birthday with all the homegirls ♥~~ – (good times as always)
~~Get 15,000 steps per day~~ – (did it…got a workout in every weekday…this is a big deal)
~~Homemade ice cream~~ – (did anyone try the Circus Animal Cookie Ice Cream?)
~~Clean the back patio~~ – (it makes me crazy happy)
~~Get blonde again~~ – (Allison straight up KILLED it)
~~Air dry hair 3x this week~~ – (been rockin a fro)
~~Taco Tuesday date with Bay~~ – (tacos + convos were so good)
~~Library for new reads~~ – (Magnolia Table + True Roots + Gray Malin…not really reading material though)
~~Celebrity Golf Tournament~~ – (whoop whoop)
Walk the arboretum on my lunch break – (Too damn hot for that shit)

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

Highlights from the weekend:

We headed back up the hill Tuesday evening to celebrate the 4th at the Cabin.

Fancy meeting my sis + bro in-law at Strawberry Lodge.

Strawberry got fancy for the 4th. But in sad news, the jukebox is broken. Which is absolutely devastating if you’ve ever had the opportunity to play a song on it.

2nd traditional pit-stop: Lake Tahoe Pizza Co!

Bay also takes a picture in this bug every.single.time too! What can I say, we are creatures of habit.

While we take pics, Cory makes friend with all the dogs 🙂

Surprised the kiddos with a donut board for breakfast.

I picked up every shape + size I could find.

And topped them with cute USA flags on toothpicks. The kids where in heaven!

Read to celebrate the 4th! #cousins

To the beach!

Getting in a beach on the 4th has become a little tricky. We got it all figured out this year though.

Load up all the bikes. Drive down early to get a parking spot. Ride the bikes back to the Cabin.

Then we ride back and forth all day. Luckily our cabin is fairly close and there is a nice bike trail.

A lot of woke, no doubt. But 100% worth it!

From the beach to The Beacon Bar & Grill for Rum Runners! It’s a must!

Bay + Gram swam to the bouy. It was high on Bay’s beach to-do’s!

Back to the beach after dinner for the fireworks!

Is it just me, or does the Summer seem to fly by once the 4th of July is over? As fast as it’s going by, we’ve been loving every minute of it!

Continue reading “{weekend notes}” →

Adventure · Bay Bakes · California · Cooking · Cool spots · family · Food · foodie · friday · friends · Holidays · jcrew addict · Kid Food · kids · Lake Tahoe · Summertime · travel · weekend

{weekend notes}

July 2, 2018July 9, 2018 xoxostacyb2 Comments

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.

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!

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.

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

Peace Out //

Bikes loaded up, hitting the road

My favorite Place //

Found my favorite peeps at my favorite spot Saturday morning. Pope Beach!

Bay + Daniel ♥

Straight Chillin

Daniel loved my hat

Electra Snobs

Gangs All Here //

One of the perks to our cabin, a brewery right around the corner.

South Lake Tahoe Brewing Company

Love their blonde

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

Trying new recipes //

Continue reading “{weekend notes}” →

Adventure · California · Community · Cooking · Cool spots · Crafting · diy · fashion · hiking · kids · Lake Tahoe · mom & me · Movies · ootd · Organization · Outfit Details · Random shit · Summertime · To-Do's · travel · Twinning · weekend

{summer to-do’s}

June 21, 2018July 13, 2018 xoxostacyb2 Comments

Hey Girl,

Consider today the OFFICIAL kick off to summer. Happy Summer Solstice!

Summer’s here! Which means it’s time to take a deep breath and savor everything the season has to offer. In your happy place. Whether that means sitting by the ocean. Camping under the stars. Sipping rosé in your own backyard. Dinning al fresco. Gardening!

You know I love a good seasonal to-do list by now. I couldn’t be more excited to write down ALL THE THINGS we’re planning to try out this summer.

Because in the end, memories aren’t made by sitting around waiting for them to happen, but from when you get out and live.

2018 Summer To-Do’s

Stop the Ice Cream Truck for a treat
Watch the Fireworks at Seka Hills
Family camping trip at Lake Francis
~~Make a donut board~~
Visit Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory
~~Find the perfect white jeans~~
Stop for oysters at Hog Island
Binge watch Big Little Lies
~~Craft with horseshoes~~
Hike all over Lake Tahoe
~~Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament weekend~~
~~Master the panzanella salad~~
~~Use Bay’s instax mini on all our adventures~~
Create DIY Polaroid display of our summer

Continue reading “{summer to-do’s}” →

Adventure · California · friday · friends · horseback riding · kids · Lake Tahoe · mom & me · Summertime · travel · weekend

{weekend notes}

August 29, 2017 xoxostacybLeave a comment

Take me back to Tahoe please!

We had our final-final summer adventure last weekend. Most peeps are celebrating their last summer hurrah this Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, we will be spending our 3-day weekend moving. So. Much. To. Do! Currently wishing I was still sitting on Pope Beach with a bud light lime in hand enjoying the 80 degree weather. This 110 shit is for the birds.

Here’s a little recap of the highlights from our weekend……

We hit the road Friday with Ruby (Bay’s BFF) in tow. I love these girls and their friendship ♥

Pit stop at Strawberry Lodge for sodas. First time ever (in my adult life) I haven’t sat at the bar, played Janis Joplin on the jukebox and enjoyed a coldie.

They did a boomerang cheers. Like mother, like daughter. Pretty sure that was Sara + I a couple of weekends ago….Ha!

The Cabin. With mom waiting for us.

First thing first…Lake Tahoe Pizza Co. for pizza. Pizza is kinda our Friday night thing, if you haven’t caught on yet.

We did half cheese (borefest) + half Mean Greek. You guys, it was BOMB. Sundried tomatoes + sautéed spinach + feta cheese + red onions + peperoncino + chicken. Sounds good, huh?

Saturday morning breakfast on the deck. Fueling for our adventure.

I had a bloody mary to calm my nerves 🙂

Along side avocado toast Carol Willis style. I love avocado toast, but do you want to know how to make your avo toast even better? Add crispy prosciutto. Yes! Carol had made this for my mom a couple of days before. When she told me about it, I requested she show me Carol’s ways. OMG! It was killer. She crisped up a couple thin slices of prosciutto on the stove then layered it up over a toasted pieces od Dave’s Killer Bread. Try it. And thank Carol after!

Horseback riding!! WTF did I get myself into? I am afraid of horses. Horses don’t like me. Pretty sure they can sense how uncomfortable I am. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. I am 35 year young, and have yet to get on a horses. I’ve had plenty of options, but have declined every single time.

The reason we are here….Bay + Ruby are completely horse crazy.

They’ve been riding since they were 5 years old. Look how little they are in the images below.

Then a couple of summers ago, Paige + Willy introduced Bay to Junior Rodeo. She learned barrels + poles + roping. Probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever seem my girl do.

She would ride out to a goat. Jump off her horse. With a hope in hand. And tie up a live goat and lay it on its side.

Bay was 9 years old at the time.

I don’t think I could even do that now.

Ok, so now that you have the history you know why it was time for me to finally get on a horse. Bailey has asked me to a million times.

I said yes.

We went for a guided trail ride in Tahoe at Camp Richardson Corral. I can’t say tell you how great the guides + staff treated us. They knew I was freaked the fuck out. They got me on a horse and reassured me I would love every second of it.

Continue reading “{weekend notes}” →

book recommendations · California · fashion · friday · kid style · kids · Lake Tahoe · mom & me · ootd · sale · Summertime · travel

{friday 5}

August 25, 2017 xoxostacyb2 Comments

Can I get an Amen for Friday!!! I don’t know about you, but I AM SPENT! This first week of school, Bay’s 11th birthday + the eclipes (Ha) + packing has killed me a little Just a little, but today is Friday! We’re hitting the road for a final-final summer adventure. And then it’s a wrap folks.

But first I’ve got 5 things on my mind…..

ONE – Back to school // This coloring page is everything. Bay literally finished it in 2.5 minutes. For the first time, since she started elementary school, she told me she was too old to do her back to school coloring page. FML! She did it anyway. She must have seen the look on my face. I almost cried. Anyway, I have saved these year after year.

She said the worst thing in her lunch was a pickle. I find that funny, considering she LOVES pickles…lol! What a brat.

Click below and have your kiddo fill on of these out! It’s a keeper

Free Printable Coloring Page

TWO – I Fought The Law // Total pre-ordered this book. It caught my eye and I’m so intrigued. Beautiful photographs of the strangest laws from each of the 50 states.

Strange, outdated laws from each of the 50 U.S. states—some overturned, some still on the books, and some merely the stuff of legends—are depicted with sly wit by Olivia Locher. Incisive, ironic, and gorgeous, these images will appeal to art buffs and trivia fans alike. A foreword from American poet Kenneth Goldsmith and an interview with the artist by Eric Shiner, former director of the Andy Warhol Museum, contextualize rising-star Locher’s photography. From serving wine in teacups in Kansas to licking a toad in Kentucky or perming a child’s hair in Nebraska, breaking the law has never looked so good.

For instance: In California, it is illegal to ride a bike in a swimming pool.

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Adventure · Celebrity News · friends · Lake Tahoe · Summertime · weekend

{weekend notes}

July 17, 2017July 25, 2017 xoxostacyb7 Comments

Oh Monday! I’m not ready to adult yet. These summer weekends are just passing by way too quickly. Anyone else agree?

You know that meme, the one that says…..put on some gangster rap and handle it? Or something like that? That’s exactly what I did this morning. Bay + I rocked out to Dr. Dre while we got ready for work + algebra academy.

I’m doing something a little new this week. Maybe everyweek?

Intentions for the Week:

You know that shit you need/want to do. I find that when I write/post them, it’s somehow easier to make them happen.

drink fucking water (sucked at this…BAD)
track ALL food on my fitness pal (on it, this week)
~~deep clean the fridge~~
eat outside (when it’s not 105 degrees) Wayyy too hot for that shit!
~~keep basil plant alive…HELP!~~ (I’m happy to report…it’s still alive)
~~make a donation run~~
NO online shopping (already failed…FML. I blame it on the J.Crew sale)
~~chill out on the peanut butter~~
go for walks/bike rides after dinner (maybe this week?)
~~make gluten-free brownies~~
~~delete old photos on iPhone~~
go to Morgan’s Mill (Saturday morning, this is happening!!)
~~use all the veggies in Farm Fresh delivery~~ (just a handful of cherry tomatoes left)

I’ve got my fingers crossed this does the trick! I’ll keep you posted!

Here’s some highlights from the weekend…..

Tahoe //

I spent another weekend in Tahoe. This time with some of my girlfriends. We’ve been attending the Celebrity Golf Tournament for a few years now…it’s become our fun weekend.

Quote:

hangovers are temporary….have fun!

First stop – You’ll never believe it?!?! Strawberry Lodge!

On the agenda for the night:

Continue reading “{weekend notes}” →