Category Archives: travel

{friday 5}

Posted in Adventure, Lake Tahoe, Movies, Nordstrom, sale, Summertime, travel, weekend by

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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

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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 🙂

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{weekend notes}

Posted in Adventure, California, Cooking, Cool spots, family, friday, Holidays, kids, Lake Tahoe, mom & me, Summertime, travel, weekend by

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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Surprised the kiddos with a donut board for breakfast.

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I picked up every shape + size I could find.

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

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Read to celebrate the 4th! #cousins

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To the beach!

 

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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!

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

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

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Back to the beach after dinner for the fireworks!

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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!

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{weekend notes}

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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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

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Peace Out //

Bikes loaded up, hitting the road

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My favorite Place //

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

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Bay + Daniel ♥

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Straight Chillin

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Daniel loved my hat

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Electra Snobs

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Gangs All Here //

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

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South Lake Tahoe Brewing Company

Love their blonde

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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

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Trying new recipes //

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{summer to-do’s}

Posted in 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 by

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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 

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{weekend notes}

Posted in Adventure, backpacking, California, Camping, Cool spots, family, hiking, Kaia, kids, Spring, travel, weekend by

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Happy Monday!  Did you know we are on week 18 of 2018?  I read it somewhere and thought, WOW!  That happened quick.  This week is a busy week.  Like real busy.  I was updating my iPhone notes “shit to do” and it basically said: Spring Show shit.  Monday – Sunday.

But, more importantly….how was your weekend?  Did you get to enjoy some sunshine.  Sleep in.  Hang with your faves.  And sneak in some relaxation + self-care.

I gotta say, we had a good one.

 

Intentions for the week:

  • Survive Spring Show – barely 
  • Try to cook/eat healthy during the busy ass week – 1 minor pizza slip-up otherwise pretty damn good!  
  • Send back all the ugly shit I ordered/bought – thank god for free-returns 
  • Blog: Currently Craving for May – What did you guys think? {currently craving // may}
  • Kill it at Kaia.  BRIK has officially begun. – Didn’t miss a class…whoop whoop
  • Chill on the chard….just a little. – didn’t have a glass…WTF?
  • Celebrate my oldest nephew’s b-day – Missed it due to Spring Show weigh-in 🙁
  • GATE Art Show – ♥
  • At home pedi’s with Bay –
  • Move around patio furniture – All the details coming soon!
  • Make pickled red onions – OMG yumm!

 

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes}

 

Highlights from the weekend……

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Casini Ranch 2018 camping trip was a blast!

You know it’s been a good weekend when your abs hurt from laughing so much.  Never a dull moment with the family ♥

I never got around to blogging about our 2017 Casini Trip.  It was equally as good!  That’s what brought us back.  The perfect campground for families.  Daily activities for the kids.  Ice cream social.  Bonfires.  Feeding the Casini horses.  Panning for rocks.  Bike rides.  And of course the river.  If you’re looking for a new place to camp, I suggest you try out Casini.

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The Ukiah Brown fire-pit made its second appearance.

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Messy camp

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Burgers around the fire

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Morning cuddle with my sweet nephew

He digs insta-filters

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Queen of the castle

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When Mom’s in-charge of breakfast….she doesn’t mess around.

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Guernville has pretty walls

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And so many fun spots

Guerneville Bank Club is the cutest.  This place even has a photo booth.

Inside you find:  Chile Pie Baking Co // Nimble and Finns Ice Cream // Jar Jam (local gems) // Tasting Room // Museum

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Chile Pies Baking Co…..yummmm

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I found my heaven!  See ya later!

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Ice cold $6 cans of chard can also be found here.

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Home of the best town sign.  I stop and snap a picture here every.single.time.

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Ocean Trails

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Necessities

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Dead or alive?  I have no clue.

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Those succulents though

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Our State Flower is breathtaking (excuse Callie ass for the photo bomb) 

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Scaling cliffs…in flip flops with a beer in hand!  #skills

The fishing spots

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Cory fishes

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Callie + I collect coffee table treasures.

I came up with the best way to display these one-of-a-kind ocean finds.  I’ll be sharing soon!

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{push-pin map // travelogue}

Posted in Adventure, backpacking, California, Camping, Cool spots, Crafting, Decor, diy, family, friends, hiking, mom & me, travel, weekend by

I’m a weekend explorer.  But, you already knew that.  Nothing better than getting out and finding new places.  Hiking trails.  Restaurants.  Lots of bars.  Parks.  Beaches….you know I love a good beach.  Vista points.  Waterfalls.  Random stops on the side of the road for oohs and ahhs.

That’s where this push-pin map comes into place.  How fun is it to document where you’ve been on a map?  Using little push pins to marks all the spots you’ve stopped.

Maps are so incredibly gorgeous.  And the sad thing is, we rarely use or look at them anymore.   I mean really, when is the last time you held a map and actually looked at it?

Look below…all the colors.  Lakes.  Counties.  Freeways.  Waterways.

Fucking beautiful, right?

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Bay + I made a push-pin map for our home years ago.  We’ve been pinning our fave places since.  It just gets better and better as it ages ♥

We recently moved and it’s become my favorite wall art.  Without fail, every time someone new comes into our home, we end up in front of this map.

Maps make great icebreakers.  Not that I’m inviting strangers over…lol.  But, as soon as you start looking over a map, inevitably, you start reminiscing.  The town you grew up.  The yearly family camping trip.  That time you stopped and had the best meal of your life in such and such town.  “This one time I picked up a hitchhiker”……

I love the conversations maps start.

 

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(excuse my toter in the background)

So for Valentine’s Day, Bay + I decided to make Cory his very own.  He’s been in love with ours for years.

I snapped some pictures on insta-stories and I was going and got lots of DM’s asking what I was up too.  So here ya go.  Another easy + cheap diy from xoxostacyb.

 

Here’s what you’ll need:

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{friday 5}

Posted in Adventure, California, Cooking, Cool spots, Decor, family, Food, foodie, friday, gold, Healthy, kid style, kids, mom & me, Recipe, Spring, Target, travel, weekend by

Another day, another beach. We’re spending Spring Break chasing the sunshine. Yesterday we ended up in SLO. Chard pit stop at Madonna Inn. It’s been on the bucket list FOR-EV-ERRR, but to be honest I was kinda disappointed. It was kinda like a dingy Denny’s. Still really cool nonetheless. Beached the day away at Avila Beach. How have I never been here before? It’s like this little town was created for me lol. Thank for all the sweet messages + SLO suggestions. We googled them all and made our to-do list. It’s going to be 70 + sunny so we’re headed back to the beach, but first I’ve got 🖐🏻 things on my mind.

ONE – Rose gold hair, don’t care // Such a fun new product by Kristin Ess!  A gorgeous subtle rose gold tent.  Mom’s, it washes out. No Kool-Aid crap that never washes out. Bay had to have her red Kool-Aid hair cut off a couple of summers. So this shit is gold, literally.

Kristin Ess Rose Gold Temporary Tint

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TWO –  More water //  The struggle is real.  I’ve been using all the tips + tricks to get my daily water intake.  It’s harder than you think. How do you get in your daily H20?

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Here’s what I’ve been doing to get those extra ounces…..

  1. Adding mint + cucumber + lemon to a big ol bottle of water and keep it in the fridge.
  2. Ice, Ice baby.  I take ice to work with me each day and store it in the freezer.
  3. Drinking out of a cute cup.  Or Yeti.  With a straw.
  4. Only refilling when I’m finished with my existing water so I can track how much I’m actually drinking.

My goal is at least 75 ounces a day, which probably isn’t all that crazy of a goal, but to me it feels kind of epic.  Ha!

Anyone got any other get-yourself-to-drink-more-water-hacks that I should know about?

THREE – Roast carrots // Super easy + super pretty. We love carrots at our house. It’s such a simple side dish and you can jazz up in so many ways. Use your imagination and the herbs in your fridge. Promise it will be good. Anyone else tell their kids that they’ll be able to see better if they eat all their carrots? Lol. I remember my parents tell me. And I’d swear, that after 1 bite, I had better eyesight.

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 bag Trader Joe’s petite tri-color carrots
  • 1/8 cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon
  • salt + pepper
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Here’s what you’ll do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with foil or silpat.

In  a large ziplock bag toss together olive oil + 1/2 lemon juiced, carrots.

Lay carrots on baking sheet.  Season with salt + pepper.

Bake for 25 minutes.  Give the pan a good shake about half way.

Remove carrots and place on a pretty plate.  Add the other 1/2 lemon juiced + top with crumbled feta.

This makes a great weeknight side dish.  And I can’t get over how easy tri-colored carrots are on the eye 🙂

FOUR – Opalhouse for Target //  How made a special Target run to check out the new Opalhouse colab?  Once again, Target KILLED it.  Over 1,300 authentically-inspired, eclectic pieces to choose from.  Colorful.  Unique design.  Elevated details.  But, not over the top.  Best part, most items are under $30!  I gathered my top picks to share with you today.  I’m dying to know what you grabbed or have your eye on.

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{how to make the most of your weekend}

Posted in Adventure, Random shit, Spring, travel, weekend by

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Why is it that the week days go by so damn slow, but you blink and the weekend is OVER?  Between checking off all the household chores + grocery shopping + trying to cram as many fun activities as humanly possible, there is never enough time to get it all done.  Then before you know it, the Monday scaries kick in.

The question I get ALL THE TIME…..

“how do you find the time on the weekends”

I’m going to share tips on how to make the most of your weekend.  I bust my ass all week, so that I can do my thang on the weekend.

My idea of the perfect weekend is one that leaves me feeling not only recharged, but accomplished and ready to take on the next 5 grueling work week days.

Plan ahead //

Buy the concert tickets.  Make reservations at the restaurant you’ve been dying to try.   Google fun things to-do in the area you want to spend some time.  Pencil in some ideas.  Having something to look forward to will give you a little extra momentum to get you through the week.  You will be dancing in place, come Friday!

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{weekend notes}

Posted in Adventure, Bay Bakes, California, Cool spots, family, friends, Holiday Whore, Holidays, kids, ootd, Outfit Details, Products, Spring, travel, weekend by

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Hello friends!  It’s Monday and I woke up feeling it today.  I even made it to 5am Kaia, which hasn’t happened on a Monday in a long, long time.  The saying “A weekend well spent, brings a week of content” is so true!  There is just something about sitting on a beach with your people that is so incredibly relaxing.  Oh and I almost forgot, a marg in hand.  That helps a little too!

Hope you had a good one.  Here’s to the last week of March.  The temps are slowly but surly rising and I can smell Spring.  You can’t wipe the smile of this girls face!

 

Intentions for the week:

  • Dye Easter Eggs.  Remember the year I forgot and the Easter Bunny hid white eggs?
  • Pack an Easter Lunchbox
  • Sign Bay up for Dynamix summer camp
  • Send back all the ugly things I ordered last week
  • Design an Easter Crudite board
  • Share the PERFECT one-piece bathing suit
  • Upgrade the blog (so nerve-racking)
  • Pre-blog for Spring Break since I’ll be MIA
  • Finalize San Diego plans
  • Last but certainly not least, kill it at the gym ALL week

 

Last weeks Intentions: {weekend notes} 

 

Highlights from the weekend……

 

Bay Bakes.  Easter cupcakes.  I’ll be sharing her cute bunny ear cupcakes later this week.  Super cute for an Easter kid dessert.

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New product.  I love anything by Kristin Ess.  Her products smell so yummy.  I have her shampoo + condition duo and dig them both.   Stay tuned on the Rose Gold Temporary Tent review.

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Packing for the beach

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shorts // tee // slides // bandana // bag // hat 

 

Stinson Beach

We hit the road for our annual Stinson Beach trip.  I just love it here and don’t think I’ll ever stop coming back.  Two hour drive and you arrive in the quaint town of Stinson beach.  It’s a windy drive along HWY 1.  When you pull into town this is your view.  Miles of beach.  Dreamy!

Stinson Beach 2017

Stinson Beach 2016

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We always stay at the Sandpiper.

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We stayed in the Cottage.  With my sister and her family.  4 adults + 4 kids.  We could have even squeeze a couple more.  The largest room they offer.  A 2 bedroom/1 bath.  Full kitchen.  Gas fireplace.  Sleeps 8 peeps.  It’s perfect.

Obsessed with the beachy vibe + decor.

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I want a cowhide rug more and more every time I stay here.

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Bays favorite is the dutch door.  She asks if we can get one for our house every year 🙂

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Isn’t the kitchen so cute?  Comes stocked with all the kitchen necessities.

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{spring to-do’s}

Posted in Adventure, Cool spots, diy, family, friends, Inspiration, mom & me, Random shit, Spring, To-Do's, travel, weekend by

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And just like that, it’s SPRING!  To say I am excited for the season change is an understatement.  I’m sure you’re sick of hearing me talk about it.  Spring always seems to be the season we wait the longest for.  Rain and all, I’ve got my eye on the long warm sunny days to come!

The shift from Winter to Spring always leaves me feeling super inspired too.  Always craving to create + explore after the Winter blues (which is a legit real thing).  I think we all, mentally NEED Spring..lol.  Everything seems to suddenly come to life.  Colorful life.

Last night I threw together a Spring mood/inspiration board (pictured above) with all the images that have been catching my eye lately.  Add the wooden flower from our Park Winters Garden Tour.  The pretty pom-pom tassel I originally got for Bay’s Easter basket.  And lastly, wrapped twine around a bunch of ranunculus to dry.

Another way Spring inspires me is by compiling our Spring list of the fun things we plan on creating + making + exploring + doing + wearing ♥

Keeping a running list is a great way to remember all seasonal things you enjoy doing or look forward to do.  When we have a free weekend, I like to refer to our To-Do’s and check items off as we go.

 

Spring To-Do’s 

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