Vintage Hats + Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans + Booties…sure they go together ;)

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ESPECIALLY when you haven’t taken a shower!! haha. I know some people feel more comfortable putting on lipstick or some other make up to make them feel put together. I say do what you gotta do!! I’m not much of a make up person (I wish I was sometimes!!), but I will absolutely throw on an outfit to make me feel better when I’m basically the walking dead… 😉 Blog Vintage Felt Hat Free People Sweater One Teaspoon Tiger Awesome Baggies Sam Edelman Booties-1 Oh, hi neighbor walking your dog!! Don’t mind me and my tripod… ;}

On me…

Sweater- Free People (Nordstrom Rack last year)

Top- Gap

Jeans- One Teaspoon “Tiger Awesome Baggies” (Scored on major sale from Oxford Trunk)

Boots- Sam Edelman “Lisle” Boots (thrifted for $10!! Sold out, but love this lower heel version)

Keeping it Real…

So, I took these pictures really quick before I went to go pick Maya up from school. I had hopes that maybe we could take more after school, but it started pouring in the 10 minutes after I took these and needed to go walk to pick her up! I attempted to take pictures of her before school, because it was “favorite color day” She picked out her outfit, as she does now every day (insert sobs from me, because it’s literally the same 5 dresses on rotation!!). Her choice was SO cute that I really wanted to capture it!! She was having NONE OF IT! Everyone always comments on how I get great pictures of her, but the trick is…she doesn’t know I’m taking pictures of her! She just thinks we are playing.

SO…when I really want a picture of her, she’s like “NO PICTURES!!!”

UGH.

Favorite color…as of late. RED! Oh, and that’s Roxy. She comes with us EVERYWHERE…

That look? I mean…kind of want to die laughing. I wasn’t at the time.

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

Pulled Pork and Coleslaw Sliders

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So I’ve made various pulled pork crock pot recipes in the past, and while those are more of the BBQ saucy style, I wanted something to use to make sliders.. with coleslaw and fresh rolls! This is a GREAT recipe just for that! Make your coleslaw the night before, set the pulled pork ingredients in the crockpot in the morning and let it do all the work! Easy dinner! And excellent for leftovers.

pork shoulder slider blog

Ingredients

3 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ cup honey
¼ cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, peeled and cut in half
3 to 3 ½ pounds pork shoulder, cut in half

Instructions

In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together the first six ingredients (all of the spices) with a fork.
Pour in the honey, vinegar, and olive oil and stir to form a paste.
Place the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top it with the 2 pieces of pork and then pour the honey paste over all sides of the pork pieces. It’s okay if some of it (or a lot of it) just drips down to the bottom.
Turn the slow cooker on to low and cook for 7 to 8 hours or until the meat is tender enough to be easily shredded with a fork.
Serve warm with coleslaw and rolls.
Ps. Minus the rolls, this is a great paleo dish! 🙂 Serve with some optional avocado on the side (because avocado goes with almost everything!).

Thank you 100 Days of Real Food!

dit-elle-Esther

Chicken Sausage, Spaghetti Squash Egg Muffins | Paleo, Whole30

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I’ve seen so many variations of eggs in a muffin tin. The possibilities are almost endless! I saw a version of this recipe posted on the @Whole30Recipes page on Instagram by @dollyessfit, although I couldn’t find it on her website, Unapologetically Living, but there are a lot of other yummy recipes there.

I changed it a little, but basically stuck to what she did, and these were amazing! And better yet. I had breakfast every day for a week, and Maya asked for them for lunch too!

She also helped with almost every step. She’s totally getting into cooking with me and wanting to help with everything! Yes, it takes a little longer, and some ingredients are lost along the way, but it’s so worth it for her to know that she helped make what we are eating! Especially when it’s healthy! I mean, what kid doesn’t want to make cookies? I love that she was excited to make these with me, and more importantly that she wanted to eat them! Although, that last part isn’t a real shock. She eats just about anything. 🙂 Blog Paleo Whole30 Egg Chicken Sausage Spaghetti Squash Egg Muffins-1 What you need… (12 Muffins)

6 Large Eggs
2 cups spaghetti squash, cooked with water squeezed out.
4 precooked chicken sausages, chopped into bite size pieces
1 cup spinach, kale (or any leafy green) chopped
1 medium onion, diced
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (or fat of choice)
Salt and Pepper to taste

What to do…

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Squeeze out all the moisture from the spaghetti squash with a paper towel and evenly distribute into greased muffin tins (overly grease!! I had to do a lot of scrubbing to get all the egg off after, because I only lightly greased). I had Maya push a paper towel into them to get even more moisture out. She thought it was fun, and it helped pack them in there!
Bake for 10 minutes til the spaghetti squash gets slightly browned at the edges.
While that is baking…In a large frying pan, heat up your oil (or fat of choice), and cook diced onions until soft. I let Maya stir these up. 🙂
While these are cooking you can dice up your chicken sausage. Once the onions are soft, add in the chicken sausage for a few minutes to warm them up and release the juices.
After the spaghetti squash has cooked, reduce your heat to 350.
Evenly distribute the onion/chicken sausage on top of the spaghetti squash in the muffin tins.
Whisk 6 eggs in with diced greens.
Pour that evenly over muffin tins til the mixture reaches the top. They don’t rise that much.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until the eggs are all the way cooked through.
Store in an air tight container, and eat through out the week!

Keeping it Real…

The number one hardest part of cooking and baking with a toddler? Or at least MY TODDLER, is stopping them from licking the spoon and eating along the way. But…whatever. Oh, and we made these at 5:00 at night, so there was NO natural light, which bums me out, but such is life.

Blog Paleo Whole30 Egg Chicken Sausage Spaghetti Squash Egg Muffins-10 The second hilarious thing that happened (which I’m only admitting at the very end of this post, knowing most people won’t get this far hahaha.) I accidentally turned the oven off when I thought I was turning it down to 350. So…I put the muffins in, checked them at 20 minutes and thought. WHY don’t they look more cooked?? Did I not get enough moisture out of the squash?? SO…10 more minutes. STILL not looking done. 5 more minutes. Then I started getting confused on how long they’d been in there and wondered how I would tell people how long they should cook! SO, I checked them again, and realized…my hand wasn’t hot when I stuck it in to shake the pan. Um….hmmm, yeah, turning the oven on. Important step!!!! I was actually making these for dinner and had to scrap it and make something else while they cooked for their appropriate 20 minutes. GRRRR.

ENJOY!! 🙂 dit-elle-Lauren

Classic Creamy Coleslaw

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If I need to make a “fail proof” recipe or am in a hurry and need something you just know is going to be good.. I turn to Martha Stewart. Her recipes are thoroughly perfected, if sometimes a little elaborate. I guess that is my only hesitation with some of her stuff.. perfect yes, but sometimes a real commitment in the kitchen. (Usually worth the effort though.) This coleslaw is delicious AND quick! I added the option of green pepper, green onions and parsley!

This is a fantastic side to pulled pork which I will publish a recipe for later this week!

creamy coleslaw blog (2) creamy coleslaw blog (1)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 small green cabbage, (about 1 3/4 pounds), finely shredded
2 medium carrots, cut into 1/8-inch-thick matchsticks or coarsely grated
1 small onion, coarsely grated (optional)
1 green pepper, shredded or finely diced (optional)
Small bunch of green onions, sliced, for garnish (optional)
Parsley, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Whisk together mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, mayonnaise, and sour cream in a small bowl. Refrigerate dressing, covered, until ready to use, or up to 2 days.
Put cabbage, carrots, and onion (if desired) in a large bowl. Pour in dressing, and toss thoroughly. Refrigerate, covered, until slaw begins to soften, 1 to 2 hours. If not using immediately, refrigerate, covered, up to 2 days. Just before serving, toss coleslaw again.

Thank you Martha Stewart!

dit-elle-Esther

Pajamas!! * I MEAN * Jumpsuits for Everyday (for the WIN!!)

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Ok, I was slow on the romper/jumpsuit rage, because well….how do you go to the bathroom??!!

Well…easily. Because, let’s be honest, the only other person in the bathroom other than you, if you are a mother, is your child. And, they’ve seen it all before. Yes, you have to be more careful in public restrooms not to let things drag, but…the one step dressing and comfort make that all worth while!! SO COMFY. SO EASY! Aka…WIN!

And, can we just talk about the day we had on Sunday here in Seattle?!! SO OVERDUE! It’s been torrential downpours and frigid temps for so long, and then all of a sudden… It was like we all needed the reminder of why we LOVE living in Seattle. And…this is why. Blog Three Dots Boat Neck Jumpsuit Gray Converse-2 Oh, and for those of you wondering…braids? On an over 40 year old mother? YES! Didn’t take a shower. Curly hair mess, suddenly tamed. DONE! So, there you go. I think we should all band together and make it the new “top knot” It takes more time, but…kinda makes you look younger, and, I mean…DUH! 🙂 Blog Three Dots Boat Neck Jumpsuit Gray Converse-3 Loooove this next one! Those clouds? HER SMOOCH??! That little tongue as she throws the rock?? LOVE!! Blog GapKids Jean Jacket Design History Dress Pink Converse-1 Blog Design History Dress Pink Converse-4 On me…

Romper- Three Dots “Boat Neck Jumpsuit” (eBay, similar here)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted, similar here)

On Maya…

Jacket- GapKids (thrifted, but similar here)

Sweater Dress- Design History (eBay)

Leggings- Tucker and Tate (thrifted)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

What happens when you give your child the shutter release haha…

ALTHOUGH…all the shots where I’m holding Maya, she had it in her hands, so…photo credit goes to her! 🙂

Me chasing her down as she ran away laughing… If only I could set the camera up to change the focus point. Although, at this close of range, I’m happy for the fact that it’s unfocused 😉 Blog Outtake-2

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

Oversized Knits (w/fun details) + Moto Boots

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I love the mix of this top that is somewhat feminine in it’s color and details, with the grungy gray skinnies and old moto boots. I had to run around all morning (Maya had gymnastics, followed immediately by school), then raced home to get caught up on work. The shower never happened, but I was beyond comfy! I had finished up some work with about 20 minutes to spare before I had to pick Maya up. I ran down and took some pictures really quick, because we had a random break in the monsoon rain we’ve had lately! I had hopes of bringing Maya back after school, but she was pretty beat…so we just chilled at home instead. Blog Free People Pointelle Ballet Neck Pullover Genetic Denim Mayhem Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boot-1 On me…

Sweater- Free People “Pointelle Ballet” (eBay, sold out)

Tank- H by Bourdeaux (Nordtrom Rack, sold out)

Jeans- Golsdign “Mayhem” (Ebay, similar here and here)

Boots- Fiorentini + Baker 7040 Boot (purchased via an Instagram acct)

Keeping it Real…

I really wanted to show the movement of this sweeater and capture the super cool deep side slits. That didn’t happen haha. Two cars pulled up just as I was doing this, and I decided to just call it a day after one failed attempt! 😉 Blog Outtake

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

Pomegranate

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Pomegranates.. what a sweet and juicy and beautiful fruit. Each seed is like a small sparkling ruby. Pomegranates are supposed to be a super food (remember the pomegranate juice craze?), but we think they are just delicious as is and love adding them to all sorts of recipes when the fruit is available.. usually winter season. I add the seeds to drinks (see my New Years Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail here), salads, yogurt, as garnish to oatmeal or cereal for the kids, in fruit salad, or just.. plain!

When I was in Barcelona a few months ago, a restaurant I visited one day served pomegranate seeds in a small oval bowl for dessert. I also learned from a friend that in Persia they sprinkle a little salt on the seeds before eating.. sound a little odd? Try it! Delicious!

pomagranate blog (2) pomagranate blog (1)

dit-elle-Esther

4 Ingredient Healthy Banana Maple Sunbutter Mini Muffins!

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Every once in a while, I stumble upon a food blogger than not only makes me want to make every single recipe they post, but also…makes me die laughing!

One of those would be Arman, from The Big Man’s World.

I finally dove in on his Healthy 4 Ingredient Chunky Banana Bread, but subbed out the almond butter for Sun Butter (I have a bit of a nut intolerance and with most schools being nut free now, it’s all we eat + YUM!)

I made them into mini muffins instead of a loaf, because…portion control 😉 He is totally right. The texture is gooey deliciousness!! I mean, is there ever an adjective that makes you want to dive into a dessert other than “gooey”???!! No. 🙂 Blog 4 Ingredient Paleo Banana Maple SunButter Mini Muffins-1 What you need… (made 19 mini muffins)

3 cups overripe banana, mashed roughly
1/2 cup coconut flour, sifted
1/2 cup smooth Sun Butter (can sub for any nut butter, if you’d like)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup

What to do…

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease mini muffin tins
In a large mixing bowl mash bananas til they are smooth with a few chunks.
Add in sifted coconut flour, sun butter, and maple syrup. If spills occur, guess on how much more to add 😉
Lick the measuring cup…oh, wait 🙂 BUT…the great thing about only 4 ingredients (with no eggs!) is that you totally CAN lick the spoon and measuring cup worry free! Although, let’s be real. In my day, I made cookie dough with eggs and ate so much dough while making them, that I didn’t even want the cookies. 😉 I turned out just fine, but…whatever. Play it safe, no?
Spoon out about 1/4 cup into each mini tin. Or, if you want to make regular muffins, until they look like this. They don’t rise much.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden on top. Remove from oven and allow to sit until completely cool. Enjoy!

Apple, Whipped Cream and Cinnamon Almond Parfait

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This is a traditional Norwegian dish called “Tilslorte Brudepiker”. The literal translation is “veiled bridesmaids”. Sound lovely? It is! It is a beautiful dessert but surprisingly simple.. layers of apple sauce, cream and toasted almond meal with sugar and cinnamon. It’s one of those dishes you remember forever..

The recipe usually calls for toasted breadcrumbs or cookie crumbs but as mentioned I used almond meal, a little sugar and cinnamon, and it was perfect! Using different shaped glasses (flutes, punch, or even a large glass serving bowl), you can have a lot of fun with the presentation. Enjoy!

norwegian apple trifle blog (4) norwegian apple trifle blog (3) norwegian apple trifle blog (2) norwegian apple trifle blog (1)

Ingredients

Apple sauce, unsweetened)
Cream (you can whip it yourself with some vanilla and sugar or just get a can of whipping cream like I do for super short cut!)
1/2 cup almond meal
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp sugar
1-tsps cinnamon

Directions

In a skillet melt butter on low and add almond meal and sugar and cinnamon, stir constantly and do not let burn or get too toasty! You just want slightly toasted almond meal and to melt and crystalize the sugar a bit so that you get a crunchy topping.
In clear glasses (for individual servings) or in a large glass bowl (for group serving) layer applesauce, whipped cream, and almond mixture two or three times.. ending with a topping of the almond mixture.
Serve immediately.
Enjoy!

dit-elle-Esther

Layering a Leather Jacket + Coated Denim

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I don’t know if I have the nerve for leather on leather, but leather with coated denim-sure! Especially when the edginess is broken up with super soft cashmere and a denim shirt. Not that I’m shy about going more edgy! I actually feel more comfortable going that route than preppy, so this was my way of mixing in a little preppiness and still feeling like me. I’m sure some people might wonder where the preppiness is, but for me…a button up denim shirt that’s not a “jacket” with a cashmere scarf = preppy. It’s about as far as I can go in my comfort zone. Preppy is one of those styles I LOVE to look at, but don’t feel comfortable wearing. I’m sure we ALL can relate (in one form of fashion!) Maybe it’s all my years in corporate banking that I never really felt comfortable in…hmmm…

I took these really quick one day while Maya was in school, so another “just me” post, which feels so weird. Blog Doma Leather J Crew Gap DL1961 River Checkered Vans-1 I took these before I had discovered my shutter release and was trying to capture a walking shot with the self timer. It didn’t go as planned 😉 I had this thought that if I actually did my hair and Maya wasn’t with me, I might try and take a “head shot” for myself.

Nope, this won’t be it. But…it’s filler, since I only took a handful of shots haha. 🙂 Blog Doma Leather J Crew Gap DL1961 River Checkered Vans-4

On me…

Jacket- Doma” (old similar here)

Scarf- J Crew (old, similar here)

Top- Gap (thrifted, similar here)

Jeans- DL1961 River in Atlanta (ebay similar here)

Shoes- Vans (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

I took these in approximately 3 minutes and 46 seconds. Ok, not so approximately haha 😉

It was cold, and I felt like a total nerd by myself, so…GET IT DONE (love looking back on my camera’s time stamp)!

But, totally a keeping it real for people that think it takes a ton of time to do this. YES, it does if you don’t have a process or want a LOT of variety, BUT…it can be done quickly. If you are alone. Throw a child into the mix, and anything goes… 😉

(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod :))

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