Levi’s Cut Offs + Birkenstocks that I’ve had for 20 years…

Leave a reply

I’d like to think that means I had the foresight to know that they’d come back in fashion, but in reality…I’m a bit of a clothes hoarder. haha In any case. I lived in these in college, and I’m living in them again. Yay me!

Oh, and here’s another “haven’t washed my hair in a while, so I’m milking the straightening that I did” Just add tiny braids! 🙂 Going in for a lick…as per usual 🙂 Looooove this next one! I’m DYING!!! She loooooves wearing sunglasses, and it just kills me how cute she looks in them! I load up whenever we are at Value Village and I see a cute pair for $1, because they don’t last long 😉 I think we are both missing Maui… 🙂 On me…

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

Belt- Vintage (thrifted)

Jean Shorts- Levi’s (Can buy similar here)

Shoes- Birkenstocks (20+ years old, similar here)

On Maya…

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted)

Leggings- GapKids (thrifted, but similar here)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…

OMG, I debated on posting this, because look at my face!! hahaha. But…then again, here’s keeping it real! We saw a baby sea lion out swimming, and then I remembered I had pushed the timer ha! Oh well. The sea lion was cute! 😉

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

Cucumber-Jalapeño Agua Fresca

3 Replies

Here’s another refreshing Agua Fresca recipe, adding to the collection of cool drinks including previously posted: Horchata and Honeydew Lemongrass Agua Fresca.

If you like cucumber, you will love this drink!

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups water, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded, to taste
2 large cucumbers, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon lime juice
Ice, for serving

Preparation

Combine 1/4 cup water and sugar in a saucepan; simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add mint and jalapeño. Cover and steep for 15 minutes; strain.
Blend together cucumbers, lime juice and remaining water. Add sugar syrup, to taste. Strain and serve over ice.

Thanks PCC Natural Markets for the inspiration!

For the love of overalls…

Leave a reply

I finally broke down and got a pair of overalls! And by that I mean I finally got a pair of overalls in this decade 😉 I’ve had my fair share of overalls… It started with Osh Kosh as a toddler. Then Guess overalls in grade school, all while singing “C‘mon Eileen” the entire time!! It’s hands down still one of my all time favorite songs!!! Yes, I’m listening to it now and dancing in my chair! 🙂 This is my 4th day without washing my hair that I straightened look ha! I mean…you practically have to twirl when you have a tutu dress on, no?!

I scored this for $3 a few months ago, and was pretty excited. I knew Maya would LOVE it! When I went to go look it up for a link, I was REALLY excited! $80?!?!?! Heck NO! 😉On me…

Overalls- Paige “Sierra” Overalls (eBay, similar here)

Tank- INC (similar)

Shoes- Superga (thrifted)

On Maya…

Dress- Oh La La! Couture (thrifted, but similar here)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

I think she was done with the hugs and ready to run and dance on the beach haha 😉

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

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Leave a reply

Rich almond meal, butter, maple syrup, chocolate chips.. a delicious combination of ingredients that make a wonderful gluten free, grain free, paleo(ish) cookie! 🙂

Ingredients

2 cups blanched almond flour
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt (I omitted this and the cookies were great!)
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ cup maple syrup
½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

In a food processor , combine almond flour, salt, and baking soda
Pulse in butter, vanilla, and maple syrup until dough forms
Remove blade from processor and stir in chocolate chunks by hand
Scoop dough one level tablespoon at a time onto a parchment lined baking sheet
Press balls of dough down gently
Bake at 350° for 7-10 minutes
Cool for 15 minutes (do not handle prior or cookies will break)
Serve

Thanks ElanasPantry!

Anniversary Dinner…

1 Reply

It was our anniversary on Saturday, and I was determined NOT to do my usual “jump in the shower 20 minutes before we are supposed to leave”!! I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to wear, but thought it might be fun to wear a dress to shake it up a little. The Huz always likes me in a dress, so… LOVE the back!!! I’ve talked many times about my love of interesting backs. I love that the dress looks sweet and girly from the front, but then….BAM! 🙂 Couldn’t get shoes on her…but she was accessorized 🙂 Trying to get the neighbor boys to come play with her 😉

On me…

Dress- Alice & Olivia (old, but LOVE this one here)

Belt- Old, similar here

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

On Maya…

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…

I rarely wear make up, so Maya was totally fascinated by my “sparkly eyes” 🙂

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

Horchata

3 Replies

Last week I published the Honeydew-Lemongrass Agua Fresca. Another Agua Fresca is the traditional Horchata. You may know it from Mexican restaurants and food stands – it’s the delicious white cinnamon drink served chilled! Made with rice, almonds, sugar and cinnamon, it’s a refreshing drink in a totally different way than the fruit frescas.

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain white rice
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup sliced almonds
4 cups water
1/3 cup sugar, or to taste (I used about 1 Tbsp agave syrup)
Ice, for serving

Preparation

In a food processor, blend rice and cinnamon until it resembles coarse meal. Transfer to a large bowl and add almonds. Cover with water and refrigerate overnight. (I could not get the rice to break down, and soaked it for about 48 hours.)
Transfer mixture to a blender, add sugar and blend until finely pureed. Strain mixture through cheesecloth or mesh strainer; discard pulp. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir and serve over ice.

Thanks PCC Natural Markets!

Maui Vacation | Day 3

1 Reply

I’ve always wanted to get a picture of Maya swinging from this vantage point. Usually, I don’t bring my big camera to the park, and even if I did…I’d be pushing her. One of the many reasons it was great to go on the vacation with my parents. My dad pushed Maya super high (which she LOVED!), and I was able to get a shot I’ve wanted to get for a while. This girl loooooves to swing! That little toe drag kills me!! Funny thing. I actually had a different top on, but spilled something on it right before we left for dinner on the beach. A happy accident 🙂 There was actually this snarky little boy next to us that kept throwing and kicking wet sand at us. I kept trying to move, and he kept following us. Maya kept saying “No thank you!!”, and then she wanted to kick sand back at him. I almost let her… ;} I ended up photoshopping him out, so there would just be a happy picture haha. Then…I wisened up from the prior night and made Maya change into her swimsuit. But she kept wanting to go farther and farther out, so I told her she had to wait for me to go put my swimsuit on. This is her pouting because she didn’t want to wait. I guess while I was up changing she said to my mom-

“I want to cheat…”

My mom asked her what she meant, and she said she didn’t want to wait for me to come back. She wanted to cheat and go in the water!

The teenage years are going to be fun… I’m sure my parents are thinking-

“Payback!” 😉

These swimsuits from SwimZip are SO amazing!! Not only are they adorable, but they have SPF50! The zip up all the way up, so there’s no wrestling the top over their heads when you put it on and take it off! They were a life saver on this trip! I got myself one in black 🙂One of my favorite shots from the trip! The sunsets were UNREAL! I’d like to take credit for editing this to make it look amazing, but my dad took this, and it’s straight from my camera with nothing done, but a little crop. And…of course we had to do one of these 😉 On me…

Top- Three Dots (similar here)

Jeans- DL1961, Lola in “Lenox”

Swimsuit- J Crew (similar here)

On Maya…

Dress- Thrifted

Sandals- Saltwater “Surfer” Sandal (thrifted for $1.50!!)

Swimsuit- SwimZip

(all pictures taken of me and Maya taken by my dad :))

Return of the Moscow Mule

Leave a reply

What’s all the fuss about anyway? Apparently old fashioned drinks are back in style.. including the Old Fashioned, the Mint Julep, and Moscow Mule.. the latter served in a copper mug filled with ice and topped with fresh mint. Totally refreshing on a hot summer day!

Ingredients

Fill mug with ice and add
2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. lime juice
5 oz. ginger beer (ginger ale was fine!)
sprig of mint

Cheers!

Heirloom Tomato, Nectarine, Goat Cheese, and Arugula Salad with Avocado Toast + Fried Egg (!!)

Leave a reply

I mean, need I say more??? I was inspired to make this salad by the amazing Danielle Kartes from Rustic Joyful Food. She posted a similar salad on Intagram about 45 minutes before I was supposed to make dinner. I had everything on hand, but substituted arugula where she used spinach, and then accidentally forgot to put balsamic vinegar on-didn’t need it!!

I paired it with my total stand by when the Huz is traveling (fried egg on avocado toast), and…YUM!!

So easy and refreshing-healthy too!!Ingredients

Salad

Handful of arugula or spinach for however many people you have
Nectarine sliced
Heirloom tomato sliced
Drizzle of olive oil
Goat cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

Toast

Slice of artisan bread (can use gluten free option if needed)
Avocado
Eggs
Chili Flakes, and Salt and Pepper to taste

What to do…

Layer everything on the salad greens and enjoy-how easy is that?!!

For the toast. I lightly toast my bread, mash the avocado on with a fork, and then fry up your egg. I tend to only cook mine for 5-6 minutes (with a lid on), so the yolk is still runny. There’s something so decadent about a runny yolk…

Enjoy!

Honeydew-Lemongrass Agua Fresca

2 Replies

Aguas frescas (or Spanish “cool waters”) are made by combining fruits, flavors, sometimes seeds and flowers with a bit of sugar and water to make a light non-alcoholic beverages. They are popular in Latin American countries – and I’ve been trying some recipes since Seattle is back in the close to 90 degree range. This Honeydew-Lemongrass version is totally refreshing!

Don’t have lemongrass? No problem, try a tablespoon chopped basil, mint or tarragon!

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups water, divided
1/8 – 1/4 cup sugar (I used 1 Tbsp agave syrup instead, but I like less sweet)
1 stalk lemongrass, lightly smashed
2 pounds honeydew – peeled, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
Ice, for serving

Preparation

Combine 1/4 cup water, sugar or agave and lemongrass in a saucepan; simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and steep for 15 minutes. Remove lemongrass.
Blend together honeydew, lime juice and remaining water. Add sugar syrup, to taste. Strain and serve over ice.

Thanks PCC Natural Markets

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: