Author Archives: laurenkahan

Kimonos + Black Ripped Skinnies (and a video!)

I LOVE the look of kimonos! They can be a little tricky to wear though. At least for me. I see them on other people, and pretty much love however they are worn. But then I try it, and I end up taking them off haha. LOVE this one from Free People. Really, anything Free People makes, I love lately.

All that said. I realized as I was going over these images that I looked totally pregnant in this outfit- I’m NOT! I definitely learn things after posting outfits. There’s only so much that you can see when you look in the mirror. Especially when you take all of about 2 minutes to get dressed! I thought all loose and flowey would be good on top with the skinny jeans on the bottom, but…I’m thinking a tighter shirt might have been a better idea. Oh, well! 🙂 All that said, if I were pregnant, I would TOTALLY rock this outfit as well! Although, I still might do a tighter shirt to showcase the bump 🙂 But ooooooh, that cascade of flowing fabric?? LOVE!! This next one cracks me up haha. Kind of an outtake, but too funny not to include! Maya’s face, and the side karate kick-love it! Again…NOT PREGNANT!! :{I’ve been wanting to do a video of how I take our shots with a self timer and tripod. I’ve done a post about it, but I really want to do one that goes over the entire process, because I really want to show Maya’s role in it (here’s a video of Maya doing it all by herself 🙂), and how much fun she has. But haven’t had the time yet. I did manage to capture this video of me doing the thing Maya loves the most. Flying in the air-aka working out with your toddler :). I am SO glad I finally did it-LOVE IT! I may or may not have already watched this about 827 times 😉

And here’s the image I took in the video! Honestly, all the stars aligned in that I got this shot the one time I shot the video. I would have just posted another one that wasn’t videoed had I not hahahaha (just keeping it real ;))The dress Maya is wearing is SO ADORABLE!! The only problem is that it’s 100% silk (aka is a wrinkle nightmare) and it’s short sleeve. But, she’s been asking to wear it every since I bought it (for $1.50!!!!), and I kept putting her off. Finally, I gave in and just layered her up. 🙂 It cracks me up how opinionated she already is (insert snicker from my dad!!) She is her mother’s daughter 🙂

Lion in hand… She has to be holding a toy at all times 🙂Are you kidding me with that look??? 🙂And then THIS? I just wanted to scoop her up and smother her with kisses!! On me…

Kimono- Free People “Printed Duster Scarf” (Nordstrom Rack, can still buy it here)

Top- Mod’Land Paris (thrifted, similar here)

Jeans- J Brand Skinny Leg Shadow Destroyed (ebay, not destroyed here and less expensive here)

Boots- SixtySeven “Blake” Bootie (Nordstom Rack, sold out, loving these)

On Maya…

Jacket- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)

Dress- CrewCuts (thrifted, but similar drop waist style here)

Leggings- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)

Boots- Kids Feet (Consignment Store credit used, similar here)

Keeping it Real…

Here’s a few outtakes I took before I had the thought to video it. What’s really funny is that I’ve always performed better under pressure-HA! I had to totally laugh when I saw this next on the back of the camera. Where’s Maya??! hahaha And then…I flipped the camera to portrait vs landscape ;).

And one that I caught on the way down vs up…

(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

DIY Glitter Cap Toe Shoes

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When I saw these shoes at the thrift store from far away, I died!! When I got closer, I noticed they were pretty beat up. The fronts of the toes were shredded, but for a $1(!!!!), I knew I could do something fun to try and save them. Haven’t we all had that moment of “Noooooo not the shoes!!!” when our toddlers stumble a little, or as Maya likes to do someitmes…drag her feet. Grrrr. Anyway, this wouldn’t work for all shoes, and it does take some time, but…I love how they turned out! Maya loves them too!

“Glitter shoes!!”You can see below what they looked like…Here’s what you’ll need…

Painters tape (it’s not as sticky/won’t ruin the shoes further :))
Glue
Glitter
(You could also just paint the toes!)Tape off the cap of the shoe in the amount you want to do the glitter toe cap.Cover the area in glue. I did a pretty heavy coating to make sure it covered up the shredded areas of the shoe. I put an apple container under haha, but you could line a cookie sheet with tin foil 🙂 Then, I let Maya go to town pouring the glitter on. I actually did these shoes back in September, but am just now blogging them. I promise, she wasn’t freezing outside in a tank top 🙂 Voila!And…here she is wearing them the other day 🙂 Have fun and happy glittering!

Vintage Fishermans Sweater + Plaid + Ripped Denim + Oxfords

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It is abnormally sunny here lately in Seattle , but COLD. So…layers are a must. You are freezing for a bit, then hot as you move around in the sun. I got this amazing vintage wool sweater for $2.50, and I LOVE it!! The plaid shirt was $2! Both scored recently.I’ve had these jeans for a while and they were ridiculously long. Like a 35 inch inseam. I’m 5 8″, but my legs are the size of a person who’s 5 5″. Yes, I have an abnormally long torso, which was great for a swim team and pregnancy, but NOT pants. Anywho, I finally took the plunge and just chopped them off. LOVE them now!! “Mommy, I want to go upside down like a bat!” There is just something about this next image. LOVE IT! And then I panicked “DON’T GO IN THE WATER!!!” The tide was super high! We usually go down this ramp and play on the beach. I had promised her we were going to play on the beach… :{ Sadly…we played on the ramp haha.And these faux Dr. Martens I scored of Zulily for $9.99?? She’s gotten compliments on them every time she’s worn them (total of 3 times since I got them in the mail) haha. And then the fun started. She threw off her sweater and coat and started jumping and dancing out of nowhere. It’s not possible to love this little nugget more than I do… The little finger point??!!! I can’t make this stuff up… I may have also promised her bubbles. This batch I got are total duds!! Which is kind of ok, since she dumps out all the bubbles in about 2.3 seconds regardless if they work or not… On me…

Sweater- Vintage (similar here)

Top- Mossimo (thrifted

Jeans- J Brand (thrifted, sold out, but similar here)

Shoes- Miss Sixty “Marlene” oxford (sold out, but you can still find them on eBay!) Similar here

On Maya…

Jacket- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)

Sweater- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, but similar here)

Leggings- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)

Boots- Zulily (search Link Boots)

Keeping it Real…

Aaaaaand, we have an runner!! It’s funny. I always know with Maya and on shoots when kids are all done. They are all fun and games until….they’re not 😉 And that is when you call it a day 🙂

(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Crock Pot // Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apples, Onions, and Peppers

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So, after you made the Crock Pot Pulled Pork with Apples, Onions, and Peppers Stew, what do you do with the leftovers? Drain the liquid and make sandwiches!! I’m all about making a meal with the thought that I can squeeze two dinners out of it. I mean, really what sounds better to a busy mom than that?? Well, besides relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine? And that is exactly what you can do instead of fussing over your second meal-WIN!!Ingredients

See original Pulled Pork recipe here
BBQ sauce. We use Stubbs
Any other garnishments. I love a good sweet pickle or even better Lynnae’s Gourmet Hot Mama pickles-SO obsessed!!

Faux Fur + Boho Vibes…

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Nordstrom had another “Clear the Rack” sale. They’ve had a few that I managed to avoid, but honestly, I’ve been working my arse off and figured this was the time to use my $20 Nordstrom dollars from the last Clear the Rack that I did damage on… 🙂 Again, I’m a total sucker for an interesting back!! On me…

Vest- Thrifted (similar here)

Top- Free People “Princess Gwendolyn” (from Nordstrom Rack-sold out, love this here)

Belt- Streets Ahead (old)

Jeans- Current Elliott (thrifted for $5.60!)

Boots- Cafe Noire (thrifted, but similar here)

On Maya…

Jacket- Circo (thrifted)

Top- Osh Kosh (thrifted)

Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (thrifted)

Shoes-Pippytoes (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

Yes, that would be a measuring tape, aka Maya’s snake. She found it in my desk drawer (design student supplies!) and she wouldn’t leave the car without it haha. I finally managed to take it out of her hand, and then she was NOT feeling taking any pics. So…we went home and played.

(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Fringe and Cowboy Boots

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I honestly love any kind of boots, but I’m totally partial to cowboy boots. They have a little bit of a heel, but are still totally comfortable! I have a completely beat up pair that is 25+ years old that I still wear on shoots.

I mentioned in this post that my mother in law lives in Oklahoma. She is a total horse lover and still a competing rider! She generously bought Maya these boots for her birthday which she also wore here (she LOVES them!). Well, I may have gushed about them so much that she got me a pair too-lucky me!! They are my Christmas present, but I swear she said it was ok for me to wear them early!! 😉

They are SO gorgeous! The studded detail?? The stitching that matches Maya’s boots? DYING! I’ll apologize ahead of time for the fact that these will be on repeat this fall/winter 🙂 Maya kept running up and down the walkway to the house next to us. Over and over and over 🙂 On me…

Sweater- Jamison (Old, but very similar here)

Top- Talbots (thrifted, similar here)

Jeans- Genetic Denim “The Twig in Strip” (ebay, similar here)

Boots- Lucchese (similar here)

On Maya…

Jacket- Osh Kosh (thrifted, but similar here)

Dress- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)

Tights- Zulily (similar here)

Shoes- Corral Kid’s Turquoise Full Stitch Square Toe Boot

Keeping it Real…

A few minutes into this, it started raining. Thankfully we were under some trees, but after about 10 minutes it started POURING! We were only a few blocks from home, so we packed up the wagon, I told Maya to hang on tight, and we ran home. “Mommy, you’re running really FAST!!” So, yes, these cowboy boots were made for walking and running 😉

(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Winter Whites + Leather Jacket + Lace Up Boots

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I love wearing white jeans in the fall/winter! Wearing them near a muddy cuddly toddler maaaaay not have been the best choice, but thank goodness for stain remover 😉

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite parks to go to. It’s so pretty, and Maya ran around for an hour-WIN! Dying over this next one one… She’s actually eating a bowl of grapes 🙂 So in love with these boots that I scored from Zulily’s blow out sale! They still have some in different colors, if you search for Link Boots! I just want to eat her up… She kept running down the hill and tackling me with a hug.

“Again!!!” 🙂 On me…

Jacket- Doma Leather (eBay, similar here)

Top- Free People “Sue’s Swinging Peplum” (Nordstrom Rack, sold out, similar here)

Belt- Linea Pelle (Old, similar here)

Jeans- DL1961 Amanda (the not distressed version-on sale now!)

Shoes- ShoeMint “Lily”

On Maya…

Vest- Janie and Jack (thrifted, but similar here and less expensive here)

Top-Hanna Andersson (thrifted)

Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)

Shoes- Zulily $9.99! (search Link Boots)

Keeping it Real…

I’ve been dying to shoot in “good light”, but it’s so hard in the fall. Maya takes her nap between 3-6, so it’s dark when she wakes up. We usually go for a long walk with my parents in the morning or Maya has preschool twice a week, so morning shoots are usually out. This morning, my parents were out of town, and it was a gorgeous fall morning! So, we put off the morning walk and went to the park! No time for showers though, but hey…I can only fit in so many things haha.

Paleo Crock Pot Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Apples Onions and Peppers

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Fall and Winter for me equal Crock Pot (Slow Cooker) meals. Which means yummy smelling houses, and easy throw together meals-WOO HOO!!! I pulled my Crock Pot out for the first time this season for one of the easiest crowd pleasers-pulled pork. I decided that I would try and make it a two-fer. Meaning, I would make a stew the first night, and then drain the liquid to make sandwiches the 2nd night. What do you know…it worked!!All that said. Pork is one of those foods that I cannot quite seem to photograph well. it just looks blah! In any case…this wasn’t blah, but you might just have to take my word for it 😉

Ingredients

Pork Loin(s) depending on how many people you have to feed and if you want to make sandwiches the next night. I used the Costco Pack. There are two small ones per sealed pack. Probably equal to 2 individual packs elsewhere.
Red, Orange, and Yellow Peppers. I used about half of each diced.
One medium/large yellow onion diced
1 Can (2 cups organic chicken broth)
1 Cup of Red Wine (whatever you have on hand that you want to spare ;)) The alcohol cooks off (for kids), but it leaves a good flavor.
1 tsp crushed garlic
2 Diced Apples (I used Honey Crisp, but you could use any apples)

Directions

After you dice all the veggies and apples. Toss everything into the Crock Pot/Slow Cooker and cook for 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
THAT’S IT!! You’re welcome 🙂
Dish out into soup bowls and enjoy!
We put Sriracha on just about everything, so… 🙂

Coated + Colored Denim…

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I had about 10 minutes before I had to leave for a shoot this past weekend, so we ran outside for few quick pics.

I’ve mentioned before my love of coated denim. I scored these purple ones off eBay and I’m in LOVE!! One of the many great things about them is that muddy little footprints wipe right off! Teaching her the blogger pose hahaha. 🙂 “Look Mommy, I’m like a backpack!” 🙂 My father in law stopped by to pick something up “Hi Papa!! HIIIIII!!”Sometimes I capture a look that is so her. This is one of them. I could just eat her up!I said “Maya! You stay on that curb til I come get you!!”Um…On me…

Sweater- Sweet Romeo (from Nordstrom Rack, similar here)

Scarf- Thrifted, similar here.

Jeans- Helmut Lang High Gloss Cropped Skinny Jeans in Violet sold out, similar here.

Shoes- Converse (thrifted, similar here)

On Maya…

Jacket- Osh Kosh (thrifted, but similar here)

Top-Mini Boden (thrifted, but similar here)

Jeans- 7FAM (ebay but similar here)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

I’ve been slammed with work, and have had some stuff going on in my personal life. All that to say, I’ve been a tad overwhelmed. Once again, this blog has been a nice creative escape and a reminder to get out and have fun with the Peanut. So, thanks again for reading and following along 🙂

(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Baked Acorn Squash Stuffed with Quinoa, Apples, and Chicken Sausage

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I’m an equal opportunity gourd lover! I’ve been itching to make an acorn squash meal, and when I saw them at Costco when was there earlier this week, I pulled the trigger. I honestly just made this up as I went along with ingredients that I had on hand. I ended up adding the Craisins and avocado in at the end because I wanted more color for the pictures haha. BUT…it tasted amazing, so I’m so glad I did!Ingredients (feeds 4)

3 Teaspoons Coconut Oil (half for the squash/half for the quinoa mixture)
3 Teaspoons Organic Pure Maple Syrup (half for the squash/half for the quinoa mixture)
2 Acorn Squash
1 Cup uncooked quinoa
1/2 medium size sweet onion
1 medium apple- I used HoneyCrisp because they’re on SALE at Costco for 1.27 per lb!!
1/2 Teaspoon crushed garlic
Sea salt and Pepper to taste
4 Aidells Chicken and Apple Sausages
1/4 Cup Craisins
1 Small Avocado

Directions

For Squash

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Fill baking pan with about 1/2 inch of water
Cut Acorn Squash in half, and lightly coat each with 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil, 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup, and freshly ground sea salt/pepper
Place in oven for an hour

For Quinoa Mixture

Place the uncooked quinoa, 2 1/2 cups of water, 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic, diced apple, and 1/2 diced onion and a few grinds of sea salt and pepper all in a rice cooker (I tend to use my rice cooker like a “fast” slow cooker-dump a bunch of stuff in and voila haha.) Start it cooking, and dice up the Aidell’s sausages. Towards the end of the quinoa cooking (about 20 minutes), dump the sausage in as well as the 1/4 cup craisins.Enjoy!

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