All white…day to night.

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I’ve found that lately on the rare evening I get dressed up and go out, I’m left scrambling. I usually am in a total rush to get out the door, and of course am like

“I have nothing to wear!!”

Well. We all know that is NOT true, but my brain can’t function when I’m in a hurry. I have all these outfits in mind during the week when I’m NOT going out, but my brain goes completely blank the minute I step out of the shower and the 30-45 countdown begins for when I’m supposed to head out the door. SO…I may try and incorporate more “if I weren’t chasing a toddler” looks in here and there, just to remind myself of outfits to throw on when the time arrives again 🙂

There’s something about heels with an outfit that doesn’t really look like it warrants heels. Like loose ripped jeans. Yet, I like it! These are actually skinny straight jeans that I bought to wear when I was pregnant with Maya. They are a size too big, but I like that they fit a little looser. Like a skinny boyfriend jean 🙂 These were the first pair of DL1961 Jeans I bought that started my obsession…Oh, and I’ve had these heels for…15+ years!! Betcha I’ll be able to find a link to a pair almost exactly like them. Classics never go out of style… I swear she wasn’t punching me, but it totally looks like she is! 🙂 And, then for the shoes I really wore during the day 😉 I got her this little parachute lady that you throw up in the air and it floats down. Well, her brilliant idea was that it would float really high if I threw her and she threw it. Got to be impressed with her logic. It worked… 🙂 Not as high without my throw haha. This face kills me!!! And then she couldn’t help but laugh. I took about 20, so really…these are the edited down ones 😉 And…she spied the playground. I really believe she might have hopped the fence if I hadn’t stopped her! On me…

Top- Fresh Laundry (old, similar here)

Jeans- DL1961 Kate (old, similar here)

Heels- Banana Republic (old, similar here and here)

Flip Flops- Havaianas

On Maya…

Top/Dress- GapKids (thrifted)

Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (thrifted, but similar here)

Shoes- Superga (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…

Hey Maya, can you look at me? Ok….maybe just keep looking at the tree….

And that kissing shot that really would have been sweet if it had been from the right angle and if my mop of a hair hadn’t been in the way…

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

Coconut Rice Pudding with Mango

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This is great as a chilled summer dessert! Creamy rice pudding, sweetened naturally by milk and cinnamon, topped with chopped mango – a delicious balance of tart and sweet. The dish draws on Indian and Scandinavian flavors, where both cardamom, cinnamon and rice are staple ingredients in a variety of dishes.

Ingredients

6 cups whole milk (or coconut milk if you prefer)
1/3 cup uncooked basmati rice
1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + more for garnish
2 cups chopped peeled mango (about 2 large mangos)

Directions

Combine whole milk and rice in large saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Reduce heat and gently boil for 40 minutes or until mixture thickens
Stir in coconut milk, cardamom and cinnamon and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly
Spoon~1/2 cup servings into dessert bowls (makes 8 servings)
Top with chopped mango and a sprinkle of cinnamon

Mango Avocado Chicken Salad

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Ok, ok. Just when you think I’ve posted enough mango avocado salad recipes…here’s another one haha. I just can’t help myself. The combination is just so good!! Maya chowed it down, and asked for 2nds!

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it right? 😉 Ingredients

2 Cups diced chicken (I used left over rotisserie chicken, but you could grill up a few breasts seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper)
1 ripe mango diced
1/2 cup diced tomatos
1 avocado diced
1 1/2 cups diced peppers (I used red, orange, and yellow)
1/4 Cup diced red onion (I omitted this, because Maya is weird about onions, but I think it would be a great addition!)
Dressing of choice. I cheated and used a pre-made poppyseed dressing, but you could use either of these paleo friendly recipes Esther has posted. Mango dressing here or Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing here. Or the Avocado Dressing I posted here.
Serve over a bed of butter lettuce. Arugula or spinach would be great too!

Enjoy!

Mother of Dragons Summer Cocktail

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So.. yes, I read the first two books and am working my way through Game of Thrones season two. Am I part of the craze? Maybe. Let’s put it this way, when Vanity Fair motherofdragons_cocktail_blog (3) published a drink “fit for a Khaleesi” this weekend to celebrate the Thrones Finale, and Seattle was bathed in 80+ degree weather, I felt inspired.

So there I was in the liquor store asking the associate for help finding some very specific ingredients (including Bittermans Hellfire Habanero Shrub, a certain type of Sherry and Tequila Dragones) and he finally asked WHAT I was making. “Um… Mother of Dragons Cocktail” I said. Several store associates had gathered now, giving me some blank stares. “I’ll take anything close to these ingredients. Doesn’t need to be the Tequila Dragones!” Sound spicy? Yes, but not really. I added some slices of jalapeno pepper. But then I do like fire!

Ingredients

raspberries, blackberries, lime wedges
.5 oz agave syrup
1.5 oz tequila or white or spiced rum
.75 oz sherry
10 drops Bittermans Hellfire Habanero Shrub
2-3 slices of jalapeno pepper (optional for added heat)

Directions

Muddle one raspberry, one blackberry and one lime wedge with agave (+jalapeno if you are using that)
Add tequila, sherry and Bitterman’s shrub
Shake with ice and strain into glass of ice cubes
Garnish with tiny “dragon eggs”: one raspberry, one blackberry, and peel of lime to make 3rd dragon egg 😉
Enjoy!

Thanks Vanity Fair for this crazy fun concoction!

Topknots and thrifted clogs!

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I wore this over the weekend to a family shoot. Again, I probably should dress up more… However, I’m often laying/crawling on the ground trying to get a good angle and running around either chasing kids or trying to get to a different vantage point. All that said. I have to be comfortable, wear something that moves with me, and I almost always wear a light colored top to provide a natural reflector. Again, with the pretzel bribe 😉 It’s going to be a sad sad day for both of us when I can’t do this anymore… ;( I mean…I had to right??? I thrifted these for Maya last year for less than $5!! When I found a matching pair last week for me and they were less than $10??!! Done 🙂 “I’m going to wear this around me like a cape. Like Elsa…”And then…Roly Poly bug hunting again.On me…

Scarf- Vintage (thrifted)

Tee- StyleMint “Boyfriend Tee”

Jeans- DL1961 “Amanda Skinny” in Seville (eBay, similar here and not distressed here)

Clogs- Dansko (thrifted, similar here)

On Maya…

Top/Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, but similar here)

Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)

Shoes- Sanita (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…

Diiiiiidn’t quite time this one right 🙂

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

Little White Dress + Booties…yay summer!

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As soon as I saw the Coast to Coast Challenge for this week, I knew I wanted to do it! The only problems? A) Picking just one little white dress! B) White dresses + Toddlers…not exactly the best combination. C) Finding the time, because this week was crazy busy!!!

I actually wore this dress back in December layered over skinny jeans and under a sweater and jacket. It’s a liiiiiiittle short on me, but I’ve still been dying to be brave enough to wear it just as a dress. SO…I took the challenge and did it 🙂Please forgive my pale legs… Thankfully it’s longer in the back, so no flashing anyone (I hope!!) This was Maya’s last day of preschool, and it was also her turn for show and tell/snacks. She brought a few “My Little Pony” dolls (OBSESSED!)They had a little celebration outside for the last 30 minutes of school. It was sooooo cute!!!On me…

Dress- Free People “Sunbeam Mini Dress” (Nordstrom Rack, love this here)

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

On Maya…

Jacket- Levi’s (thrifted, but similar here)

Top/Dress- Lilly Pulitzer (thrifted, but similar here)

Leggings- Peek “Natalie” Leggings (thrifted for $2!)

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

Keeping it Real…

Yes, sometimes I bribe her to come outside with me 😉 This girl will do almost anything for a pretzel!

Someone was a little out of sorts on her way to school. I really think she was sad it was her last day 😦

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

Cherry Garcia Smoothie

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I was inspired by Lauren’s recent Healthy Cherry Garcia recipe and decided to make a super easy smoothie version. You really can’t go wrong with frozen cherries, chocolate and coconut milk or other milk base.

Ingredients

1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup frozen cherries
1/2 oz or large chunk of chocolate
1 Tbsp chocolate icecream or 1 tsp other sweetener like agave

Directions

Blend all ingredients together until smooth
Top with some chopped chocolate or chocolate covered almonds

Costco’s Garlic Pepper Pacific Cod with Mango and Avocado Salsa

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I seriously could eat this salsa on everything! And…when mangos are in season, we do haha.

I cheated and used Costco’s already marinated cod. Didn’t feel guilty about it at all, because it’s so yummy! You could easily grill up any kind of fish with a little oil of choice, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste!Ingredients (for Salsa)

2 Mangos cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
1 1/2 medium avocados
20 Cherry tomatoes diced
1/4 cup Walla Walla sweet onions diced
Juice from 1/2 a lime
5 leaves of fresh Basil diced
Sea Salt and Pepper to taste
As many filets as you need.

Directions

Cut everything up and toss in a bowl!
Or….if you are short on time, toss everything into a Cuisinart and pulse a few times.
Bake fish according to directions and top with salsa. EASY PEASEY!!

Enjoy!

Parsley Walnut Pesto

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A great summer pesto when parsley is in season – use to pair with salmon, poultry, or mix into pasta or rice!

Ingredients

3 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
3 tablespoons olive oil (or more if desired for consistency)
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
salt
ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves, chopped

Directions

Combine all ingredients in food processor – process until smooth.
Yields about 12 tablespoons

Rompers + Birkenstocks…doesn’t get more comfy than that!

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I’m all over the romper trend now. It’s one step easy and soooo comfy too!Plus, for some reason they make me feel younger, and really…I’ll take that any day any way I can haha 😉 Maya loves to run down our neighbors hill. Over and over and over. Not quite sure how our neighbor feels about it though… ;} And yes…she’s still licking. “Mom, are these climbing shoes??” She asks all the time now, because she wants to climb on everything!LOVE that this totally looks like a pose in a magazine. Nope. Just Maya being Maya 🙂On me…

Romper- C & C California “Surf Wash Romper” (eBay, sold out, similar here, here, and here)

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

On Maya…

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, but similar here)

Shoes- Saucony (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

Ok, totally putting little diaper covers on her from now on. And thankfully I have some saved that still fit because she’s not wearing diapers anymore! That little tushie though!!!

“No mom, don’t talk” ha!

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

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