Straw Hats + Boyfriend Jeans…for blackberry picking and chasing light!

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I’ve been meaning to go pick blackberries for…about a month!! Most of the obvious places are picked over now, but I did a shoot at one of my favorite “best kept secret” spots last weekend, and…what was there?? BLACKBERRY BUSHES! A lot of them. Basically untouched, and randomly overgrown, because I never remember them being there in years past!

SO…I asked Maya the other day. Would you rather go to a park with slides or go pick blackberries? She picked blackberries and I was SO excited! I knew that meant we were going to one of my favorite spots, and…she got blackberries. Win for both of us! Between her eating them as I picked and me getting tired of being pricked… the actual “picking” didn’t last long! Then we were both done picking, and it was time to play 🙂 Blog Mignon Yellow Flower Dress White Converse-1

On me…

Top- The LB Brand “Muscle Tank”

Jeans- Current Elliott “Boyfriend in Loved Destroy” (thrifted)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted)

On Maya…

Dress- Mignone (thrifted)

Leggings- Mini Boden (thrifted)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

I was “Snapping” (lkahan-ditelle) how we shoot our adventures with the self timer and tripod, and… 🙂

She’s not used to me wearing hats, so… Blog Outtake-2

This happens a lot. I set up the timer and ask if she wants to play or chase me…and then she runs off in the other direction 🙂 Blog Outtake-3

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

Oat Waffles with Cream and Berries

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This might be the fastest waffle batter ever! You put five ingredients in a blender until smooth and then start filling your waffle iron! The waffles are moist, high in protein, and the perfect base for any topping. We like whipped cream and fresh or frozen berries! Power breakfast for everyone! Enjoy! 🙂

protein waffles with berries cream blog

Ingredients

6 eggs
2 cups cottage cheese (I did not have this, so used 1 cup milk – it worked GREAT!)
2 cups quick cook oats
1/4 cup golden flax seed (ground)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Combine eggs, cottage cheese (or milk), oats, flax seed and vanilla in blender until smooth
Pour about 1/2 cup of the mixture into the waffle iron and cook until golden brown
Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy! 🙂

dit-elle-Esther

Blackberry Vanilla Coconut Pops

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Ready for some more blackberry inspiration? Try these Blackberry Vanilla Coconut Pops. Low sugar and kid approved! Not just for the kids, these are a cool treat for anyone on a summer day.

blackberry coconut paleo popcicles blog

Ingredients

2 cups blackberries
2 Tbsp honey, divided (or more if needed)
1 tsp vanilla, divided
1 can full fat coconut milk
1 Tbsp water

Directions

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine blackberries, 1 Tbsp water, 1 heaping Tbsp honey. Simmer, stirring gently, 3 to 5 minutes. Mash berries with a spatula as they cook. Remove from heat and add 1/2 tsp vanilla.
Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing with spatula to extract all liquid. Discard solids, and set liquids aside to cool.
In another saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the coconut milk with another 1 heaping Tbsp honey. Simmer, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly blended. Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla, and set aside to cool.
Fill pop molds 2/3 full with coconut mixture and then pour in blackberry mixture until mold is full. Insert sticks and freeze.
Enjoy! 🙂

dit-elle-Esther

Classic…White Top + Denim (And…chasing the golden hour)

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We escaped to Whistler BC over the weekend to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary (which is TODAY!!), and it was AMAZING!! The trip started off rocky… We had originally planned to leave first thing Friday morning. The night before, as I was packing, I got out my passport. EXPIRED!! UM…. Long story short. Lots of frustrated tears on my part. I felt so stupid for letting it expire, and not checking sooner. I was SO bummed that we wouldn’t be able to get away, because a) Anniversary b) the Huz has been working 70+ hour work weeks, and I’ve been working a lot too. c) Maya was so excited to go back up! Through all my crying and being upset, Maya was a total positive rock!

“Mommy, come here and give me a hug. I will make you happy again!!”

Not once did she get upset that the trip was cancelled (or so we thought). I ended up calling the 24 hour passport hotline, and got myself an apt at the Seattle Passport Agency the next morning. I drove to our local drugstore and got my new passport photo taken at 9:30 at night (all red puffy eyes and all-sweet….). I drove down a few hours early of my apt and got there right when they opened. They took me early, and I was in and out in 30 minutes. I was told to come back at 2pm and pick up my new passport! Well…I ended up having to wait an hour and a half, BUT…a new passport in 7 hours??!!! I was BEYOND THANKFUL! We ended up getting into Whistler around 9, but had the best day and a half after that!! Maya didn’t want to leave 🙂

ALL THAT ASIDE…here are some pictures I took the week before we left…

If there is one combo that stands the test of time, it’s a white top with denim.

You can dress it up, you can dress it down, it looked good in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s (ok, you get my drift) It still looks good now, and it’s a constant fall back for me when I don’t want to think about what I’m wearing. Blog Marc Jacobs Top Current Elliott String Bean Salt Water Sandals-1 My creative energy was renewed after our last outing during the golden hour a few days earlier.

I’d been so busy with work, camps, lessons, and life that we hadn’t done many outings, and I was shocked at how much my mood improved just by getting out with Maya and taking personal pics again.

Blog Marc Jacobs Top Current Elliott String Bean Salt Water Sandals-4 Needless to say, I was in a great mood after this night too!! And it just makes me SO happy to see her playing and running around having fun!!! Blog Hanna Andersson Gauzy Cover Up Dress Gold Salt Water Sandals-1 Ok, a little photography talk here. I absolutely love that you can manipulate an image just by where you stand in relation to the sun.

In the above image, I was in the sun and Maya was in the shade. Hence the hazy sun flare.

The below image, Maya is just over a few feet, but I stepped into the shade too. Blog Hanna Andersson Gauzy Cover Up Dress Gold Salt Water Sandals-2 On me…

Top- Marc Jacobs (eBay, similar here)

Jeans- Current Elliott “The String Bean” (thrifted-sold out, similar here)

Sandals- Salt Water Sandals

On Maya…

Dress- Hanna Andersson “Gauzy Cover Up Dress”

Slip- Hanna Andersson “Pure Cotton Eyelet Slip” (thrifted)

Sandals- Saltwater Sandals

Keeping it Real…

I gave the remote to Maya in the beginning, so she’s to thank for the first shot. AND….about 45 shots in the minute after that haha.

And…tossed her right out of the frame-dang it! Blog Outtake-2

Her growling face, which is her new thing… Blog Outtake-3

(all pictures taken with ashutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Princess Pink Drink (or Red Currant Flavored Water)

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Red Currents are a lovely berry and I planted a bush for the kids to graze on a few years ago. It’s a berry that grew in abundance in Norway where I grew up (read more about red currants in last years blog post) and I have fond memories of snacking on picking berries that were warming in the sun. To me, they taste like summer in Norway.

Ava loves little cooking projects and making drink concoctions. She loves feeding them to test bunnies like her Grandma. Here, Ava and I turned sparkling water into a ‘festive and pink’ party drink. No sugar, no other additives.. simply mash berries and strain juice. Discard solids. Mix with sparkling water and top with some berries as garnish! Voila! Berry water for the princess party!

red currant festive water for blog (3)

Ingredients

1/2 cup of red currants and a small handful for garnish
Sparkling water
Ice

Directions

Mash berries in strainer
Discard solids and save the juice
In a large glass pitcher with ice and sparkling water, add berry juice
Stir and garnish each glass with some fresh berries
Pinkalicious would approve!

dit-elle-Esther

LBD…for any occasion!

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I almost didn’t post these pictures, because I totally messed up the focus and stood a crack in the side walk too close, but…whatever.

It was Charlie’s 16th birthday, and we’d had family over for dinner. Charlie got a remote control car from my parents, so we went out to play with it. I’ll blame the excitement over the car for my standing in the wrong spot, and not the wine I had with dinner haha… 😉 Blog Feel the Piece Dress Zara Lace Up Sandals-1 It was hard to distract her from the car, but a good swing usually does it! Practicing her kung fu moves… Blog Mini Boden Dress-1 Blog Mini Boden Dress-2 Super cool that Jackson was able to come over too! So weird not having him in the house anymore… Maya was in heaven having both brothers back for the evening! Blog Charlies 16th Birthday-1 Blog Charlies 16th Birthday-2 SO rare to get all these guys in front of the camera! Blog Charlies 16th Birthday-3

On me…

Dress- Feel the Piece “FreeBird Dress” (eBay)

Sandals- Zara (old, loving these here and here)

On Maya…

Dress- Tea Collection (thrifted, similar here)

Keeping it Real…

And… Here’s me running to get the remote control car in the spot where I should have been standing all along…perfectly in focus haha.

Oh well…

Blackberry Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream

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As mentioned in my blog post on the topic last week, Blackberry season is in full swing and so much fun! The berries are fun to pick, eat and make yummy things with. Today, a Blackberry Crisp.. pretty much paleo, but add some vanilla ice cream for some non-paleo, but totally delicious, goodness!

Blackberry paleo crumble 2016 with vanilla icecream for blog

Ingredients

4 cups blackberries
1/4 cup sweetener like honey or sugar as needed (if you have very ripe blackberries this may not be needed and you can certainly make it without sweetener for a slightly tarter crisp)

For the topping

1 cup almond meal
1/2 cup golden flax meal (or any ground flax)
1 Tbsp honey
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Vanilla Ice Cream and mint leaves for garnish

Directions

Rinse blackberries, drain well and pour into glass baking dish (9×11″ works well) and drizzle with some honey or sprinkle with sugar (as needed)
Mix topping ingredients with a fork until butter is distributed and ingredients are combined well
Sprinkle topping evenly over berries
Bake @ 350 for 35-45 minutes with tinfoil on. Remove tinfoil and bake for another 10 minutes as needed or until crust is a golden brown.
Enjoy with your favorite vanilla ice cream or drizzled with some cold coconut milk

Modified quite a bit, but thanks for the inspiration http://paleoleap.com/berry-crumble/

dit-elle-Esther

Chambray for the win!

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I’m a big fan of clothing that makes you feel like you’re wearing pajamas! I mean, who isn’t??!

When they are totally cute, that’s an even bigger bonus! Chambray is such a soft fabric, so I’m a fan of just about any article of clothing made out of it. I found these jogger pants at my local consignment store for $15, when I went to drop some clothes off! I had told myself I wasn’t going to buy anything, BUT I had a $13 credit, so… I made an exception! So glad I did, because I’ve worn these twice since buying them less than a week ago haha 🙂 Blog Soft Joie Tank Current Elliott the Jogger Mystique Silver Lace Up Sandals-1 I’ve been going through some serious withdrawals lately. I haven’t had time this summer for our usual outings, and it’s amazing how much it’s affected my mood. On the way home, I made sure to tell Maya how much fun I had with her.

“Me too mama!”

So…I just have to continue to MAKE time. I have to…

That face?!!! Blog Soft Joie Tank Current Elliott the Jogger Mystique Silver Lace Up Sandals-10 Blog Hanna Andersson Twirly Dream Dress Helga Sandals-1 I’ve REALLY missed shooting at the golden hour!! Looooove this next one 🙂 On me…

Top- Soft Joie (ebay, similar here)

Jeans- Current Elliott “The Jogger” (purchased from Funky Jane’s for $15!)

Sandals- Mystique (old, loving these here)

On Maya…

Dress- Hanna Andersson “Twirly Dream Dress” Sold Out

Sandals- Hanna Andersson “Helga Sandal” Sold Out

Keeping it Real…

She can TRY to run away from me… 😉

Hahaha. Her face!!! Blog Outtake-2

(all pictures taken with a shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Blackberry Season

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It’s blackberry season in Seattle! The season can be pretty long depending on weather. A bunch can have flowers, little green berries, ripening red berries and juicy sweet blackberries all at once! 🙂

Blackberries are known for their fiber and nutrients (like vitamin C and K) and antioxidant properties.. and of course, their tastiness! They are a great berry for pies, cobblers, crisps, shakes, cordial and other drinks.

We have a lot of recipes with blackberries on this blog, simply type in the keyword on our homepage! Because blackberries tend to grow wherever the vines reach, it’s a great activity for big and small.. berries are often found at or near ground level. Pick, eat, enjoy! And I’ll be posting more recipes as the summer goes on! 🙂

Blackberries july 2016 for blog (1)

Enjoy blackberry season! 🙂

dit-elle-Esther

Watermelon Mint Infused Water

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I’ve been wanting to try more infused waters lately. In my mind, they are a lot of work, but really…they aren’t!

I carved up a watermelon for the 4th of July, and we had some pieces left over in the fridge that I didn’t think were going to get eaten. SO…I poured some of the left over juice and a few pieces of watermelon with some mint into a few water bottles.

I mean to let them sit for a day, but… “LIFE”

Two days later, I tried them, and YUM!!! Blog Watermelon Mint Infused Water-1 Maya wasn’t as sure. She was more consumed with getting the watermelon out of the bottom haha 🙂 What you need…

2 cups of Watermelon (depending on how much water you want to infuse!)
1/4 Cup Watermelon juice (I made this after I had cut a watermelon a few days earlier and there was juice at the bottom of the dish. You could also muddle a few pieces if you are doing this all at once.)
5-6 sprigs of mind torn into pieces

What you do…

Put water, watermelon, watermelon juice, and mint into (individual water glasses or a giant water container).
Let it sit overnight….or two 🙂 Then…

Enjoy! dit-elle-Lauren

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