Red, White and Blueberry Popsicles

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These popsicles were inspired by our favorite summer ingredients – strawberries, blueberries, coconut milk! This is a great project for kids to help with. Getting molds ready, selecting ingredients, sampling the flavors! Have fun! 🙂

Ingredients

Red

1 cup strawberries
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
add some water if too thick

White

1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

Blue

1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup coconut milk
add some water if too thick

Directions

Blend individual popsicle batches and pour into molds in layers. And yes, layers may bleed a little (but this is the quickest way to do this!) and hey, give a pretty marbled effect! 🙂

There is another version using berries/water/honey on Elana’s Pantry that is worth checking out also! http://elanaspantry.com/red-white-and-blueberry-popsicles/

Lemon Basil Cookies

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My basil plant has been loving the heat wave in Seattle and growing like crazy! These lemon basil cookies are great for breakfast or as a quick snack – keep in the freezer for a yummy cold paleo cookie treat! Grain free, dairy free, soy free, egg free! Ingredients

2 cups blanched almond flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup coconut butter
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

Combine almond flour and baking soda in a food processor
Pulse in coconut butter, honey, basil, and lemon zest
Scoop dough one level tablespoon at a time onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet
Press balls of dough down to flatten
Bake at 350° for 6-10 minutes
Cool for 2 hours
Serve or freeze for an easy protein rich snack!

Inspired and modified. Thanks Elanaspantry.com

Pops of color….and honest motherhood.

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I’ve mentioned before that I don’t usually intentionally match with Maya. She still vetos half the stuff I try at first, but for the time being I still pick out what she wears.

In any case… What I’m in the mood for, she gets in the mood for too. And, I’ll admit that if we are taking pics, I’ll maybe adjust what one of us is wearing so it compliments the other.

Usually, MY outfits are pretty basic with a pop of something. Oh, orange shoes??! Don’t mind if I do! Especially when they are thrifted for $5!!

I know from talking to friends and being on social media that having a 3 year old is no joke. Whoever coined the phrase “terrible two’s” was a cruel person, because that totally ruined all of us that thought we totally nailed the 2 year phase!! Maya was seriously the sweetest, funniest, smartest (ok, I’m slightly biased) kid up until about 3.5. After we passed the 2 year mark and then some, I thought “I totally got this!!!” And then…

Tantrums. Defiance. Being stubborn (ok, I own that). RUDENESS. It all came with a vengeance.

Looking back on it now, there were other things going on, so maybe that was it too? It wasn’t a good time for either of us. I didn’t even really want to take pics of us. I felt like it would be a big fraud if I took pictures of me loving on her and us having fun, when…well, we were, but not like we used to…

And then….4th of July weekend was a turning point. I can’t pin point what happened. There was fun stuff, but we’d done fun stuff before. But, we started the weekend with a dinner over at my parents, then the 4th, and then a quiet day. From there on out, it’s been business as usual, but….business as usual from a few months ago. AND I LOVE IT!! I know she does too!! Love, love, LOVE this next one 🙂 I posted this next shot on Instagram as a little sneak peek and it’s my most liked photo to date. Weird, huh? Ok, there are a LOT of pics in the next sequence, but I love all her dance moves!! I’m not a big filter person, but I wanted to have fun on this next one. I like it… 🙂 No filter on the next one…Just haziness from the fires in British Columbia.On me…

Top- The LB Brand “Protector.Lover.Mother”

Jeans- AG Jeans “The Legging Ankle Skinny Jeans” (thrifted)

Shoes- Superga (thrifted)

On Maya…

Top- Tucker and Tate (thrifted, but similar here)

Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)

Shoes- Superga (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…

Sadly…the licking phase has not ended 😉

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

Dressy Pajama Pants? Count me IN!

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I scored these pants at the most recent “Clear the Rack” sale for 90% off (!!!), and I think I will be LIVING in them. If not sleeping in them too haha 🙂

I decided to wear them over to my parents house for dinner. It’s been unusually hot here in Seattle, so these were perfect! Lightweight, comfy, and…stretchy! 🙂 Truth be told. My mom and I came outside to take pics after having a few glasses of wine…so, not my normal self timer and tripod shots 😉 I love dressing up a simple tank or tee with layered jewelry. These particular tanks from H&M are only $5.99!

I always wear my Helen Ficalora charms, but I added a vintage flower lariat necklace too for a little fun. Oh, and Maya’s bracelet that she didn’t want to wear anymore too (0k, that wasn’t really part of the plan :)) I loooooooove these next ones. I can only capture on image at a time with the self timer, and I never really know when it’s going to go off. LOVE that my mom caught this whole sequence! Seriously…what is UP with the LICKING?!?!? OHMYGOSH! DYING! She’s actually totally into wearing sunglasses, and it kills me! This is when we first arrived at my parents for dinner. Backtracking a little…And then after dinner….There is a good reason these dresses are called the “Twirl Dress”!!Then….on our walk home. It’s SO NICE to only live a few blocks away from my parents!!!We found a neighbor who was watering their lawn. Of course Maya sweet talked them into spraying her too 🙂On me…

Tank- H&M

Necklaces- Vintage and Helen Ficalora

Pants- Elizabeth and James “Ruben Drawstring” (sold out, similar here)

Shoes- Shauna Huarachas (thrifted)

On Maya…

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted and a few sizes big 🙂 , similar here)

Shoes- Saltwater Sandals (thrifted for $1.50!!)

Keeping it Real…

Once Maya gets a toy in her hand, she doesn’t want to let it go. And she thinks YOU really need to enjoy it too. Yeah…not so much 😉

(Thanks Mom for taking pics of me, and me with Maya!)

Strawberry Balsamic Granita

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It’s been so hot in Seattle that all I can think of making is frozen treats! Granita is an Italian dessert made of sugar, water and flavor or juice and is very easy to make.

Also check out Lemon Granita and Cranberry Jalapeno Granita!

Ingredients

10 ounces fresh strawberries (about 2½ cups), hulled
1/4 cup coconut sugar, or to taste
1 cup water
1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
More balsamic vinegar for topping (optional)

Preparation

Combine berries and sugar in a food processor until smooth. Stir in water and vinegar. Transfer to a glass baking dish and freeze for 30 minutes.
Thoroughly scrape the entire pan with a fork, breaking up ice crystals. Repeat freezing and scraping process every 30 minutes, until granita is firm but not frozen solid, 2 to 4 hours.
Spoon into small glasses and serve.
Garnish with a fresh strawberry and a few drops of balsamic vinegar (optional)

Thanks PCC Natural Markets for the inspiration!

Pumpkin and Plaid…

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I am so bad at thinking up titles…obviously 🙂 But…pumpkin and plaid it was 😉 Along with the usual lick kisses… These next ones crack me up! I swear I took like 15, so you are lucky I’m only posting four 😉If you look close, you can see that Maya has my mother in Laws lip gloss all over her. She was giving her lots of kisses 🙂On me…

Top- Theory (thrifted, similar here)

Jeans- J Brand (thrifted, similar here)

Shoes- Zara (last year, loving these here)

On Maya…

Dress- Polarn O. Pyret (thrifted, but similar here)

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

Keeping it Real…

Mommy, shush….be quiet.

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

Cranberry Jalapeno Granita

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A deliciously refreshing icy dessert for hot summer days (or Christmas holiday season). The Jalapeno adds a bit of heat (you can remove the seeds for a milder taste), so this is not really a kid dessert. Someone mentioned topping oysters on the half shell with this spicy-sweet ice, but I have not been that brave yet. 🙂

Ingredients

2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
1/3 cup sugar
4 mint sprigs
1 jalapeno pepper, slices
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

Directions

Combine first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to boil
Cover and remove from het, let stand for 15 minutes
Strain cranberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a baking dish, discard solids
Cool to room temperature, stir in lime juice
Cover and freeze.
Once frozen, remove mixture from freezer and scrape with a fork until fluffy
Serve and enjoy with a mint sprig for garnish

4th of July | 2015

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I actually forgot to take pics of me and us with the self timer and tripod, so this isn’t the usual post. It’s just the fun that was had on 4th of July. Hope everyone else had a safe and amazing day!

Maya had gone to a day camp during the week before. They gave her this hat and flag on the last day. DYING!! No, it doesn’t get much cuter than this!! We’re super lucky to have a neighborhood parade that starts a few blocks from our house! It was so hot though, so we didn’t even make it to the end. It actually got up to 90, which is SO rare for us this early. It’s been in the 80’s for most of June, and we’re dying!! An iphone snap 🙂The Huz went and got a ton of fireworks, and we just sat outside of our house with our neighbors and my parents and watched them all for 2 hours. So fun! Finally around 9, it started getting a liiiiiittle darker, so we let the kids do sparklers. I think she liked the fireworks 😉

High Waisted Denim + Crop Tops + Clogs | 70’s Influence

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It seems like people are always saying “The 70’s influence is coming back!” Honestly, I don’t think it’s every left. There are always 70’s influences that are in style. It was a great decade for inspiration. All the bohemian flowing looks…the wide leg denim…the amazing hats!! I could go on and on. Although, maybe it’s because I was born in the 70’s? I don’t think so 🙂

I stumbled upon these jeans at the thrift store over the weekend. They were in the girls section, but looked like they might fit, so for $5 I grabbed them. I LOVE THEM!!!! They are high waisted, and because they are meant for a 12 year old, the length is perfect!! haha. Only slightly embarrased that these are meant for a middle schooler, but whatever! Once again, my lesson in looking outside the box while thrifting was a big success! Maya found a humongous ant! She named him Dan, and carried him around on our walk for about 20 minutes 🙂 I attempted to have her set him free for a few minutes, but that didn’t last.I was actually a little sad for Dan that we relocated him so far away. Hopefully he’ll find his way back to his family if he had one…Rolling down the hill towards my Christmas tree shadow 🙂On me…

Top- Zara (last year, loving this here and here)

Belt- Vintage (thrifted)

Jeans- 7FAM Girls “Slimmy” (thrifted, similar here)

Clogs- Vintage Holje (Funky Jane’s Consignment, find some similar here)

On Maya…

Dress- Tea Collection (thrifted, but similar on sale here and here)

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

Keeping it Real…

Someone was NOT happy about setting Dan free to give me hugs 😉

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

Red, White, and Blue Salad | Happy 4th of July!

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So, I’m not recreating the wheel by any means with this salad, but for those of you that need inspiration for a 4th of July dinner/picnic…done 🙂 All of these items are from Trader Joe’s 🙂 Ingredients