{friday 5}

August 31, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

Friday has arrived! We did it! Barely! Ha! Weekend plans: family camping trip. Celebrating the long weekend lake side. Hope you have a good one.

5 things on my mind……

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ONE – News // Beginning next week, you’re going to hear crickets from xoxostacyb. I’m shutting down the blog for a solid week. I haven’t had a week off in a really long time. This is a good thing. Even though you wont see anything, I’ll still be working. Just behind the scenes. Come Monday, September 10th you’ll see a revamped xoxostacyb. My storage is almost maxed, which results in a huge upgrade on my end. You’ll find a fresh new look. And, recently I was accepted to ShopStyle. Similar to Like to Know it. Unfortunately, I just haven’t had the time to dig into it yet. So don’t be alarmed when you don’t get your xoxostacyb {new post} email 🙂 I’ll be back, better than ever!

sweater // denim // bandana (similar)

TWO – J.Crew Sweater // Another pre-spending freeze purchase. I was going to save this one for a rainy day, but this sweater is so good, it’s going to sell out in no time. Perfect for slowly transitioning to fall. Not pictured is the cutest pair of heeled mules I’ve ever layed eyes on. But, You’ll have to wait for those 🙂

Point Sur allover pointelle crewneck sweater – ON SALE! $35 with code: BIGSALE. This sweater is from the new Point Sur collection an LA made denim brand. All the pieces are timeless. I’m obsessed with the all-over pointelle on this sweater. Easy breezy. It comes in 4 great fall color options too! I have my eye on the Loden Green.

9″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans: Seamed Step-Hem Edition – super comfy jeans. Love the edgy detail to them. Magic pockets. Step hem. And a front seam.

Madewell Bandana – Following the {third piece rule}here with this bandana. Madewell has lots of great bandanas to pick from. This one is similar to the one I’m wearing.

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Adventure · California · Cool spots · hiking · kids · Lake Tahoe · mom & me · Spring · Summertime · travel · weekend

{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.

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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.

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Decor · diy · home · kid style · kids · Organization · Products · Summertime · Target

{bay’s bedroom makeover}

August 24, 2018August 24, 2018 xoxostacyb3 Comments

It’s Friday. Halle-fuckin-lujah! I ALWAYS share 5 things on my mind, but today I’m just flat-out too damn tired. I couldn’t even fake it if I tried. Did this week kick anyone else’s ass, like it did mine?

So, let’s just chat about this pretty room my Mom, Cory and I spruced up for the birthday girl instead……

I have to apologize in advance for the terrible pictures. We have really bad lighting and it’s pretty much impossible to get a good shot morning, noon or night. I did my best with the help of lots of filters.

Before:

This headboard is actually Bay’s baby crib. That was then converted to a toddler bed. And now a full size bed. We did remove the foot board in order to free up more room. I didn’t realize how much room it took up before. Then I did the unthinkable. I thew it away…..the foot board. I’ve been packing around all the pieces for the crib + toddler bed conversion for….12 years! Remember this time last year when we moved? My moto – just throw it away. So that’s exactly what we did. The thought gave be massive anxiety, to be completely honest. The real question – why in the hell was I packing it around anyway? I guess because it came from Goore’s Baby store. And I saw the price tag. That shit wasn’t cheap. And that, my friends, is why it’s still around. I don’t foresee ever buying different bedroom furniture for Bay.

Oh, and she reminded me that she’ll be moving out in 6 years anyway. Thanks for the friendly reminder boo!!!

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family · kids · mom & me · Summertime

{this is twelve}

August 23, 2018August 23, 2018 xoxostacyb9 Comments

Well, today is the day. The day I became a mom. The day my life changed forever.

Twelve years ago I held her for the very first time.

Crazy to think 12 years ago this beautiful little girl once lived for a short time…inside my body. The only one that will ever know what my heart sounds like from the inside.

My note to Bay on her 12th birthday:

Bay, you have become such a beautiful young lady. You are kindhearted. You are crazy sensitive. You are STRONG! You are gentle. You are so full of joy. You are fiercely determined. Everything I ever wished you would be!

I promise to always be there for you, support you, and understand who you are. You bring so much light & laughter everyday of my life. I LOVE watching you grow ♥

Love you to the moon & back 1,000 times

xoxo

Mom

My Mom sent me this song a while back and I listen to it all the time. Makes me think of Bay every time.

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Cooking · Food · foodie · Kid Food · kid style · kids · mom & me · Organization · Products · Random shit · Recipe · Summertime

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

August 21, 2018 xoxostacyb3 Comments

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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Community · Cooking · Cool spots · Decor · diy · family · Food · foodie · friday · friends · kid style · kids · mom & me · Nordstrom · Summertime · weekend · Wine

{weekend notes}

August 20, 2018August 27, 2018 xoxostacyb2 Comments

Well friends, we’re in the home stretch of summer. Today I’m feeling equal parts excited AF for school to start and not sure “I’m ready” to drop my little girl off at Middle School. The Sunday scaries got me good last night. I tossed + turned over thinking. The hustle and bustle of school beginning has me getting all kinds of organized. Ready for the routine. The not so settling part – we’ve got so much “new” happening this year. The whole new school. Our morning routine is changing drastically. Hello zero period. You know what I mean? All that unknown stuff. Luckily Bay is beyond pumped which makes my heart incredibly happy!

I really wanted to dedicate this week on the blog to all things back-to-school. But, then I remembered that whenever I spend the entire week on one topic, I get so burnt out. So, we’ll be chatting about ALL THE THINGS. School. #ootd’s Organization. Oh and I’ve got the best easy weeknight dinner for you too. It’s a crockpot recipe I’ve been making for years.

Lot’s of Inentions for this week!!!

Intentions for the Week:

~~Organize ALL THE THINGS~~ – (anything + everything is organized AF)
~~Meal prep like a boss~~ – (killed it)
~~Pre-plan outfits…for me + Bay~~ – (this was crazy helpful in the morning)
~~Make lunches the night before~~ – (lifesaver)
~~Celebrate Toni’s Birthday~~ – (love hanging with my high school girlfriends)
Workout Monday – Friday – (failed…skipped Thursday + Friday)
~~15k steps per day~~ – (but I did get my 15k per day!!)
~~Forever 21 shopping trip~~ – (Bay found so much cute stuff)
~~EARLY bedtime~~ – (9pm yo my boo)
~~Punctuality~~ – (on time everyday…can I get a WHOOP WHOOP)
~~DIY Happy Birthday banner~~ – (we taped it to the wall….things have changed)
~~All the 1st day of school traditions~~ – (except Raley’s…so sad. Damn zero period)
~~Final Tahoe summer hurrah~~ – (just what the doc ordered)
~~Spoil my girl on the 23rd~~ – (obvi I went a little overboard, per usual)

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

Highlights from the weekend……

The Yolo County Fair!!

Beer me!

If I don’t drink another not-so-cold keg beer till next Fair, I’d 100% be okay with it…lol.

The tacos though, that’s another story. Why are they only this good at the Fair? 365 days is a long time away.

Say cheese

Just spying on the big girls ♥

The tornado

The Midway of Fun aka kids heaven! The most expensive place on earth…ha!

Annual Beer Gardens cousins picture. With the newest edition, Daniel.

Now look at the photo below this one……

Beer Gardens 2009. 8 years ago. Our babies! #bestillmyheart

The good ol Derby. Always a good time.

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Decor · Food · foodie · friends · home · kids · mom & me · Products · Summertime · Target · Trader Joes

{friday 5}

August 17, 2018 xoxostacyb3 Comments

Happy Friday! Hope all is well and you’re on your way to a great weekend! My weekend plans: double fisting keg beers at the Yolo County Fair! What else would one do during Fair week? A BIG thank you for all the sweet messages on yesterdays {i gave up alcohol for 30 days!!!} post! My current response: If I can do it, you can 🙂

Let’s chat about 5 things on my mind this Friday afternoon…….

ONE – You can only keep 3 // I keep seeing this floating around instagram. I find it super interesting to see what peeps top 3 are. This is hard! I feel like 3 isn’t that fair. I feel like we need at least 5. Right? I’m going with:

Coffee
Jeans
Wine

In that exact order too. lol. But, now I want to know what would be your 3? Dry shampoo would for sure be #4 for me. And tacos for sure #5!

TWO – Trader Joe’s finds // I have a feeling I’ll be spending more + more time at TJ’s in the near future. I haven’t told you guys what I’ll be giving up for 30 days beginning next week. A piece of me doesn’t want to say it out loud…#indenial. I think giving up booze will be wayyy easier than this one. Anyway, I popped in to grab my weekly stems + Bogle Chard, and I spotted some new shit to try out. Probably my least healthy TJ’s trip of all time…lol.

Spanish Olive Cream Cheese + BIG Soft Pretzels + Chocolate covered sunflowers + individual sun-dried apricots + Fruit leathers + Bay proclaimed her love for pears?

I’ll report back what we love!

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Decor · diy · gold · home · Products · Summertime · Table Setting · Target

{summer table setting}

August 15, 2018 xoxostacyb1 Comment

Setting my last summer table for the year. Bittersweet! You know by now that I LOVE a pretty table. It’s inviting. Sets the tone. You know what I mean? Changing around the table setting to fit the mood + season has become my jam. Still trying to come up with a name to make it a series. Anyone have any cute + clever ideas? Something with a good ring to it. Maybe I can do a monthly table series?

In case you’re new or missed it, here are some of the other table settings I’ve shared on the blog…..

My personal favorite the {orange table setting}

Bay’s famous rose napkin fold was first done here {spring table + rose napkin fold}

Easter 2018 was a good one {friday 5}

Last Christmas ♥ {friday 5}

{Table talk} was my very first table setting in our new home with my new dinning table

How cute was the {thanksgiving kid table}

A Christmas table from wayy back in 2016 on {friday 5}

I may need to re-create this Fall table from {weekend notes}

Using my parents china they handed down to me for an Easter Brunch {friday 5}

I was setting pretty tables back in October of 2015 {friday 5}

Honestly, I had NO idea how many I’ve done till I searched “table setting” in the search bar. WOW!

What’s your fave so far? I wanna know!

This time around I wanted to showcase summertime.

Mezger Zinnia’s are a showstopper! My table wouldn’t have been complete without a big vase full of these seasonal beauties.

After admiring all the beautiful + extremely expensive decorative wooden beads all over Instagram, I finally found some for my home. Found this Wood Bead Garland while strolling (you’ll never believe it) goo ol’ Target. One of the best $12 purchases I’ve made in a long time. You’d be surprised at how versatile they really are. These beads have been moved all over the house and I love them.

And added touch….rosemary wrapped in twice around cheapy little white candles. Didn’t they turn out cute?

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Bay Bakes · Cooking · foodie · Kid Food · kids · mom & me · Recipe · Summertime

{magnolia table chocolate chip cookies}

August 14, 2018 xoxostacyb4 Comments

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.