Who are we?? A little more about us :)

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We have an about us page, and we’ve done a couple of posts of us together (Although, we both wish there were more!!) Sadly, with jobs, kids, husbands, LIFE(!!!), it’s not as easy as we’d like. I had one friend from Instagram say “I thought you and Esther lived next to each other!” I wish!!! Ok, maybe I don’t. I’d weigh 800 lbs from all the delicious goodies she cooks up!

Anyway!! I DO live next to one of our mutual friends. Her son had a birthday a few days ago, so it was finally our chance to get some pictures together! We did these after the party, with her husband graciously wrangling our 3 kids on a sugar high/mayhem let down. The sun was oh so bright (seriously, what the heck Seattle?!), and the location was in front of my house. Oh, and I forgot to mark the exact focus point with the self timer and tripod, so I messed up the focus (GRRRRRR!!!)

BUT…this is us!! 🙂 Yeah, because self timer poses are so natural and fun when you have your spouse and kids watching!! 🙂 And…yup. Our kids are running around like crazy kids on sugar highs 😉

Random Facts About Lauren:

I am a total creature of habit. I’ve have a PB&J every day for lunch. Have for at least the last 10(??) years. That’s just one of many examples!
I’ve had grey hair since high school. Which…was 22 years ago. I’m scared to know how much I have now.
I’m not really into traditional “pampering”. I’ve cut and colored my own hair since high school, and give myself mani’s and pedi’s (I do get pedi’s for special occasions because…duh that cheese grater is the bomb and my feet need it!!). Mix of being a complete control freak and not wanting to pay someone to do something I can do myself 🙂 More $ to spend on thrifting!
I’m ridiculously competitive. Some people won’t play games with me. Thanks Dad 😉
I have an irrational fear of sharks…and really any kind of fish. All thanks to Jaws and a fish jumping out of it’s tank at a pet store and flopping at my feet when I was 5-6. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?!
I didn’t like spicy food, until I got pregnant. I craved Sriracha on everything, and still do.
I over analyze EVERY decision. Big decisions sometimes take me a year+. BUT…once I decide, I want to do it immediately. Some think I’m spontaneous because of that last part. NOT EVEN REMOTELY 🙂
I’m pretty shy and introverted. Until you get to know me. Or…at work, because I have to be outgoing.
I love sad movies.
Spelling backwards is a random super power. Cranium anyone? 😉

Random Facts about Esther:

I hate following directions or recipes (cooking is an art right!?)
I rowed on UW Crew for a year – one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but it was an amazing experience
I’m a total introvert as well. I was so shy first grade that my teacher had to sit next to me during a reading assignment so I could WHISPER it to her! I’ve had to work on that BIG time just to survive at work and in life.. Speaking of..
I did Toastmasters for years and then started a corporate club at work, overcame my deathly fear of public speaking and now coach others!
I want to be a TED speaker
I could probably eat rice crispy treats every day
I grew up in Norway and speak several languages
I’m almost 5’11” and have a terrible time finding pants that fit just right (too short! Too long!).. I know, I know.. it’s rough to be me..!
Never thought I’d be a yogi, but discovered hot yoga this winter and totally LOVE it!
Coming up with random facts about myself is way too hard

Thanks for following along!! We really appreciate it 🙂

Floating Candles and Flowers – Easy Centerpiece!

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Floating candles and flowers are my go to – super easy and elegant centerpiece. This takes <60 seconds to assemble. Pick fresh flowers, leaves or herbs if you have some and add to a decorative bowl with water. The flowers and lights will float. Shown here is the centerpiece for our recent Easter Brunch.. a piece of pink depression glass and I used rosemary flowers because that’s what happened to be in bloom at that moment in time! 🙂

There’s room for a lot of creativity here, but floating candles are beautiful day or night!

Windy day on the beach…

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Funny…I took these almost a month ago, but kind of forgot about them. Oops!Sometimes she does these really quick repeated kisses. Like woodpecker kisses haha. And, I LOVE that she just runs and jumps into my arms! Loooooove this shot. The clouds…the wind. There’s just something about shots from behind for me. I love the story that they tell.

On me…

Sweater- Inhabit (ebay, LOVING this one here)

Top- Stylemint (old, similar here)

Jeans- Current Elliott “The Army Pant” (sold out, similar but different color here)

Shoes- Kork-Ease “Rebecca” (thrifted for $7!)

On Maya…

Jacket- (thrifted, but similar here)

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, but similar color here)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…

So, it’s not really subtle when I’m taking pics of us with the tripod and self timer. I’m totally used to the odd looks and the “Um…do you want me to take your picture??” This little boy kept wanting to get in the shot. Not randomly walking by, but at times turning around to look at the camera haha. Which…is ok. A lot of kids are curious about the camera.

I edited the boy out of the shot above, but here he is. Not looking, because…I want to protect him I guess 😉

But THEN his grandfather walked up too, and in the ENTIRE beach. Stands right behind us? Like not even random about it-totally on purpose got in the shot. Kind of threw me off, because I was waiting… Oh well. Oh, and it’s not like I don’t expect people to get in my shot. We ARE on the beach. But this particular beach is usually pretty empty, and we were the only four people there!!!

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

Lemon Pudding Parfait

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Lemon Pudding Parfait anyone? Protein rich and paleo! Top with some chilled whipped cream for some not so paleo but oh so delicious goodness!

Ingredients

12 egg yolks
¼ cup agave nectar or honey
pinch celtic sea salt
¼ cup lemon juice
½ cup heavy cream or use a can of whipped cream to top the pudding – this will give a little extra sweetener (if you so desire) and is a little time saver! You could also drizzle with some coconut milk for a great dairy free option.

Directions

Place egg yolks, agave, and salt in a medium sauce pan
While heating over very low flame, whip with a hand blender for 6-8 minutes, then whip in lemon juice
Chill for a half an hour
If pudding separates, whip with hand blender for 1-2 minutes, until fluffy again
Whip cream in a separate bowl
Serve in small glasses, alternating layers of pudding and whipped cream
Garnish with berries

Serves 4

Thanks Elana’s Pantry! http://elanaspantry.com/lemon-pudding-parfait/

Boho Tops + Jeans + Sandals (for the both of us!)

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That awkward moment when you actually did your hair and wore decent clothes because your neighbor had a party for their 3 year old, and you say…yeah, I’m totally taking pics of myself while Maya is inside going potty hahaha. DYING!! 😉 Thumbs up!! This is her new thing. We did a throw (which did NOT get captured properly, but they cheered and Maya gave them the thumbs up haha) I can’t even handle her sweetness!!Then, our neighbors asked her to dance. I mean…duh. Easiest thing to ask Maya!MY FAVORITE!On me…

Top- See by Chloe (ebay)

Jeans- DL1961 “Angel” (thrifted)

Shoes- Faconnable (thrifted, similar here)

On Maya…

Top- GapKids (thrifted)

Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)-

Shoes- Zulily (search Eddie Marc Kids)

Keeping it Real…

It was after the party, and to get Maya back outside I had to give her food (always!!). So, granola bar in hand, not so great throw = keeping it real 😉

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

Easter afternoon…hunting for beach eggs :)

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Yes, I am almost a week behind the actual times… 😉

After the morning Easter festivities, we put on some comfy shoes and headed down to a rocky beach to look for beach eggs. 🙂 An EGG!! 🙂 These are now in a pottery bowl on our dining room table. Instant art! 🙂 Ok, there might be someone that finds this offensive/reports me for taking beach rocks. Oh, well.At first, when she started walking on this log, I was nervous. I yelled for her to be careful. Then I watched. She balanced along it like a champ!And then she kept doing it over and over!And then, she started running along the LOG! I was both freaking out that she would fall in all those rocks, and totally proud of her balance!!Btw…this is what she wore earlier for Easter. I picked the dress, and she picked the jacket. We both decided on the boots 🙂On me…

Top- Joie

Jeans- DL1961 “Amanda in Mania” (eBay, similar here and here)

Shoes- Vans (thrifted, LOVING these here)

On Maya…

Jacket- GapKids (thrifted, but similar here) Earlier- H&M (thrifted, similar here)

Dress- Janie and Jack (thrifted, but love this here)

Shoes- Saucony (thrifted) Earlier- Boots- Nordstrom (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

This would be Maya “freezing me” because she didn’t want me to come up the path with her haha.

I don’t even remember what was going on here. Whatever it was…not pretty 😉

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

Fresh Squeezed Sparkling Orange Juice

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This was our Easter brunch drink, super simple, super yummy. The kids LOVE to help squeeze oranges on our little juicer, so you can make this into a fun kid activity and show them where juice comes from! 🙂

Ingredients

Oranges
Sparkling water
Fresh rosemary, thyme or mint for garnish

Directions

Juice oranges and pour in glasses
Top with a splash of sparkling water
Garnish with fresh herbs
Serve!

From shorts and sandals on the beach…to sweaters and boots in the woods.

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It’s been rainy off an on lately, which is more normal for this time of year in Seattle. It was kind of nice to put on a cozy sweater and boots again for a change! We were out running errands, and by the time we came back home the rain had stopped. SO…we headed off to this little park by our house for a bit.

I also realized that I rarely take pictures with my bags. Mainly, because I don’t carry them around when we are off adventuring/playing. BUT…I scored this amazing bag on eBay recently for $30 with free shipping and I’m so in love with it!Basically, I need a ginormous cavernous pit that I can stuff everything under the sun into to avoid Armageddon when we are out and about 🙂 And…she’s off! 🙂 On me…

Sweater- Zara (old, love this one!)

Purse- Doma Leather (eBay, similar here)

Jeans- Paige “Blue Heights” (thrifted, similar here)

Boots- Cafe Noire (thrifted, but similar here)

On Maya…

Jacket- H&M (thrifted, but similar here)

Hat- H&M (old, but similar here)

Dress- CrewCuts (thrifted, but similar here)

Leggings- GapKids (thrifted, but similar here)

Boots- Nordstrom (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…

Here’s a little video that shows what was going on when I took the first shot of me and Maya (I think it’s only viewable on a computer vs mobile device-sorry!). You can see the stand off to the left that I use to focus on before I put it over to manual focus. Please forgive my ginormous forehead coming at you at the end 😉

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

Basil Lime Fruit Salad

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This recipe takes your standard fruit salad and adds a savory undertone and some garden party elegance! 🙂 With whipped cream or coconut milk – it is pure deliciousness! I served this for my Easter brunch and made the syrup days in advance – you can clean and cut the fruit a day in advance, refrigerate separately and toss to serve!

The original recipe called for a 1/2 cup of sugar in the syrup but I generally don’t add sweeteners to fruit. I did add one tablespoon of agave syrup however to balance out the lime and basil. There’s definitely some flexibility here so go ahead and taste your way to the perfect syrup. 🙂

Ingredients

Syrup

1 Tbsp agave syrup
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup packed basil leaves
1 Tbsp grated lime rind

Fruit

You can really use whatever fruit your heart and tummy desires including but not limited to –
Cubed pineapple (about one medium)
Quartered strawberries (about 1lb)
Cubed peeled mango (1 or 2)
4 kiwifruit, peeled, halved and sliced
Grapes, apples, pears, oranges..

Directions

Combine agave and water and bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and stir in basil and lime rind
Cool and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl. Discard solids.
Combine cleaned and chopped fruit and drizzle with syrup right before serving
Toss gently
Garnish with whipped cream, coconut milk and a mint leaf! 🙂

DIY Ripped Denim and Bubbles!

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I’ve said it before. When thrifting, you really have to keep an open mind on size.

A) Because people before you might have squirreled away some super cool finds in a different size section in order to “find it later”. I once found the motherload of denim upstairs in the kids section when Value Village was having one of their mega sales. I was so bummed that I had gotten there late, but someone else had curated the perfect cast offs for me upstairs!

B) Denim always fits different! I range 3 sizes and they all fit the same in various brands! Sometimes one brand will have really different fits.

All that to say. I always look in all sizes for denim. Whether it be for other people or myself. I found these 7FAM jeans that someone had already DIY destroyed (SCORE in my eyes!!), for $3!!! I just LOVE how enthusiastically she blows bubbles!!And then a neighbor walked by… 🙂On me…