Layering up on a windy day…

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Truth be told, I wasn’t planning on taking pictures on this day. It was super cold, raining, and windy, so I was all comfy and bundled up. Honestly, I don’t even know if I took a shower, because the days all melted together last week… :} But then…it cleared up for about an hour, so I thought…why not? However…THIS picture, made this little impromptu shoot all worth while. I’d much rather be given a beautiful leaf than a flower 🙂 Maya had gotten her shirt all dirty at preschool, so I threw this dress on her that was in her “if she gets dirty” preschool bag haha. Again…not planned, but real life, no? 🙂 Um, but these boots??? DYING!! I didn’t even know they were rain boots when I bought them on Zulily during their close out sale! When they came and I realized she could actually wear them over the next few months hahaha, IN LOVE!! 🙂Oh, and can we talk about toddler girls that don’t want you to do their hair?? I have to do Maya’s hair while she’s on the potty watching the iPad hahaha. Even then, more than half the time she rips out whatever I’ve done singing “Let it GOOOOO!”

Thanks Elsa :{ Messy hair, and oddball outfit and all. She’s still pretty fricking cute, if you ask me 🙂On me…

Sweater- Theory “Tootsie in Tweed” (similar here)

Tank- H&M

Jeans- 7FAM “Josefina Cropped” (similar here)

Boots- Frye (old, similar here)

On Maya…

Jacket- Zulily search Shampoo

Dress- Old Navy (thrifted)

Jeans- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)

Shoes- Zulily search Link Boots

Keeping it Real…

I actually took these a few weeks ago. I still wasn’t sure I’d post them, but it has been SO freaking cold, and I’ve been so freaking busy with work, that…I’m digging back into the archives of unposted posts 😉 So…this is what Maya and I wear when we don’t plan on taking pics haha.

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

Pumpkin Layer Pie

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Pumpkin Pie used to be the main thing I loved about Thanksgiving dinner (foodwise that is ;)), until I found this recipe about 15 years ago. I’ve never had a piece of regular pumpkin pie since. I’ve tried a bite here and there, just to see, but this pie is SO much better that I don’t think I’ll ever go back. I’ve modified it over the years from the original recipe. I never could get a consistent texture, until I tweaked a few things. In the original recipe the cream cheese layer is about 1/3 to 2/3’s pumpkin. I evened it out a bit, because pumpkin layer would tend to not set (the biggest complaint in all the reviews). It’s still delicious as a soupy pie haha, but I like it better with the below modifications.Ingredients

For the Crust…

I am a BIG graham cracker crust fan. I have been known to double a recipe both for this or when I make cheesecake haha. So, this is a bit thick, but so yummy!!

2 packets of graham crackers
1 1\2 sticks of butter (3/4 cup) (melted)

Crush graham crackers (either in a food processor or in a large zip lock bag with a rolling pin). Pour butter over graham crackers and mix until you can form it into your pie pan. For the bottom layer…

8 ounces cream cheese, softened (I use light, but wouldn’t use non fat-too soft)
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed (you could probably use real whip cream if you’re a purist ;). I happen to LOVE Cool Whip-total guilty pleasure!)
1 Tablespoon Milk

In a large bowl, whisk together cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of milk, and sugar until smooth. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread into bottom of crust.For the Pumpkin Layer

2 packages of 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
1 Can (15 oz) of pumpkin puree.
1 Cup Cold Milk
1 teaspoon pumpkin Pie Spice (I go a lot lighter on the spice, because it tasted to overwhelming to me) You could also use a mix of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.

Pour pumpkin puree and a cup of milk into large bowl, and thoroughly mix in pudding mix, and spices. When thickened, spread over cream cheese layer. I knifed across the layers to make a marble pattern 🙂Refrigerate for 4 hours, or until set. I usually make it the night before…

Enjoy!!

Vintage Leather + Skinny Jeans + Booties…never fails.

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DL1961 was incredibly generous and sent Maya and me a few more pairs of jeans to try. I thought all my other pairs were comfy, but these Florence jeans take it to another level! The name is deceiving. I assumed “Instasculpt” would be more rigid and binding, but they are sooo soft, yet flattering! And if you’re thinking I don’t look any more sculpted, that’s all the overindulging I’ve been doing lately haha-whoops 😉 The funniest thing about these next two images? I was actually trying to get a shot of just me, and she kept wanting to run to me. I even gave her a snack, which usually helps buy me a few minutes to get some detail shots of just me. NOT complaining, because let’s be honest…who wants to see shots of just me?? haha 🙂 This could totally be seen as an out take, but I love it! She was just running around me, laughing, and wanting to dance. 🙂And…the only images I got of Maya by herself not covered in water and mud…Here she is spotting all the mud puddles. You can see the excitement in her fingers! 🙂Racing towards them tongue out and all. hahahaI actually attempted to plead with her NOT to jump just yet. “Please, can we just run around and play a little bit before you jump??”Yeah, that didn’t happen… But if you can’t beat them, join them no? Or at least capture the fun… So pleased with herself. There really are few things she loves more than jumping in mud puddles! And, who am I to deny that joy? The boots were $1.50 from the thrift store, and I am totally putting the Activex Denim technology to the test in these DL1961 Jeans 😉 OMG, this look KILLS ME!!! I am telling you. Maya is just as happy as she looks on this blog, but the moments when she’s not-almost even cuter!! ALMOST 🙂 At this point, she realized she was all wet and she’s like “Mommy, it’s time to go home!” Oh…really?? So…maybe we should have run and played a little more before jumping in the puddles right away? And for those of you that know me, you know that is EXACTLY what I said to her 🙂But then of course, I gave her a little hug and a kiss! 🙂Love her…On me…

Jacket- Vintage (similar here, and less expensive here)

Sweater- H&M (old, similar here)

Belt- Forever 21 (similar here)

Jeans- DL1961 “Florence” in Monroe (C/O)

Boots- Frye “Lisa Short Stitch” (eBay, sold out but similar here and here and less expensive here)

On Maya…

Jacket- Levis (thrifted, but similar here)

Sweater-H&M (similar here)

Jeans- DL1961 “Chloe” in Macpherson (C/O)

Shoes- Baby Quiz (thrifted, similar here)

Keeping it Real…

I’ll be honest. As we drove away, I thought “This entire shoot is just going to be scrapped and will never see the light of day on the blog. Yes, Maya is eating in half of them. Yes, she jumped into mud puddles about 5 minutes into our outting soaking herself, and getting us both muddy. But, that’s our real life. That’s what really happens. So, things may not have gone as I had envisioned them, but they rarely do haha.

And…while I’m “keeping it real”. This is what really happens sometimes too. I can’t figure out where I’m supposed to stand to be in focus (I put a flower down that we had long since trampled), and Maya has a snack in her hand, yet still wanted to be holding my hand… And there we go 🙂 Such is life.

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

Leather Jacket + Sequins + Coated Denim….Holidays are coming!

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I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving surrounded by ones you love! I’m listing some of the things I’m most thankful for in the “Keeping it Real” at the bottom 🙂

The holidays are coming, and that means parties! Well, for some of us. It used to mean a few parties for me, but now…not as much haha. That said, there are still times when we do go out, and I want to make sure I’m ready! So….I thought for the next month, I’d do a post a week that wasn’t really as much “mom friendly” as it was “get me out of the house and party” friendly 😉

I wish it meant a fun dress (I have a ridiculous amount of them waiting to be worn!), but I really just don’t feel comfortable in dresses. I LOVE them, buy them, and then 30 minutes before we are about to leave…rip them off and change in a panic!!

For me, that means black or coated denim, something a little fun/sparkly on top, and a leather jacket. Oh…and HEELS!! Becuase…those really only come out for special occasions and they make me feel like I’m stepping it up (HA, literally and figuratively) 🙂I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking that if you are reading this blog that you are either my family (haha) or that you like fashion, food, or ridiculously cute little girls (ha!) Anyway, for those of you that are fashion minded, you will appreciate this. I coveted these jeans for soooooo long, as I talked about here and when I finally scored them from Nordstrom Racks “Clear the Rack” here,. And yet…I’ve only worn them ONCE! What the heck??!!! They are comfy, repel toddler gook, I LOVE THEM, yet…I save them/never wear them? I need to get over it!! I really have been trying to work things into my wardrobe that I’ve been “saving” aka…most of my clothes, but this blog is actually making me stick to it a little more…little by little. I still tend to wear the same jeans 3 days in a row when we are not taking pictues (for whatever reason) In the beginning, I was all about taking pictures every day to show what a day in the REAL life of a mom was, but…A) who wants to see that?? and B) I just don’t have time for that! So…now, it’s a mix of boring reality and fun 🙂 By the way…I’m TOTALLY open to suggestions of what you might want to see if anyone has any!!!All that said. Leather + Fun Top + Coated Denim = My Happy Place/Comfort Zone And THIS…is our happy place 🙂 Um, yes. She is the cutest thing in the world. Just in case anyone was wondering! 🙂 On me…

Jacket- Doma (old, similar here)

Top- Velvet “Vonnie Sequin Top” (similar here)

Jeans- Paige Edgemont coated (Nordstrom Rack)

Boots- Paul & Joe (Old, similar here and less expensive option here)

On Maya…

Jacket- Amy Coe (thrifted, but similar here)

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, but similar here)

Leggings- Zulily

Shoes- (thrifted, and DIY glitter toe shown here)

Keeping it Real…

I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving!! Things have been a bit crazy in our life lately, so it was even more special and nice to just relax, overindulge, and be thankful. It’s so easy to focus on the daily grind and get overwhelmed with what’s not going the way you want. That’s the best thing about Thanksgiving. Hopefully, you have the day off from work, are surrounded by loved ones, eat way more amazing food than you every should, and…reflect on what you are thankful for.

This is what I’m most thankful for…

1- Family– I am so incredibly blessed the have an amazing family. They say you can’t choose your family, but if I had to pick mine out of a ginormous book, I’d choose mine in a heart beat! Which…is kind of my 2, 3, and 4 🙂

2- The Huz- I not only married my best friend, but I married the yin to my yang. We have enough in common to understand each other and have fun, but also have completely different strengths, that allow us to navigate through this crazy life in a way I never even dreamed was possible.

3- My Parents- Before the Huz, they were my best friends. Still are… I’m so lucky that they now live only a few blocks away and that both Maya and I get to see them almost every day.

4- Our kids– Two teenage sons and a toddler… It can be tough at times, but we are so lucky to have 3 genuinely good, caring, NICE, kids that truly all love each other. What more could you want?

4- Life– It can be crazy at times, but I am soooo lucky to be able to do something that I love to do while getting to spend the majority of my day with my favorite partner in crime (and play!).

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

Gluten Free Waffles

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Need a great staple waffle recipe? Having a hard time finding a good gluten free version? Here you go! This is a great gluten free waffle recipe. To quote Adam, “how are these so good?” I think that about sums it up.

I have a little Norwegian waffle iron – makes beautiful hearts that were a huge hit with the kids! Scandinavians like to serve waffles for dessert with strawberry or raspberry jam and sour cream – or with a large scoop of ice cream! Shown below with whipped cream, some powdered sugar and raspberries!

Ingredients

3/4 cup rice flour or a gluten free flour mix
1/4 cup cornmeal (omit if you are corn free and add another 1/4 cup of the rice flour back)
1/2 cup potato starch (NOT Potato Flour)
1/4 cup tapioca flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
dash of salt
1/4 cup melted butter or coconut oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (regular milk works, too)

Directions

Mix the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another
Combine and mix
Scoop in portions onto waffle iron and cook
Serve with butter & sugar, jam & sour cream, maple syrup, fresh fruit, powdered sugar or other favorite toppings

DIY Toddler Thank You Cards / Art

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After Maya’s birthday this year, I thought it would be a good idea for her to have a part in her thank you cards. This is a super easy, relatively fast DIY that you can do with your toddler or…on your own 🙂 You could do these for thank you cards, or even frame them as art!What You’ll Need…

Blank Note Cards with Envelopes. I got mine at Target on clearance, but you could get some at any craft store.
Glue
Glitter
Cookie sheet lined with tinfoil. You could just lay out an old sheet/newspapers, but I like to collect all the unused excess glitter and save it :).

What to do…

Lay the blank cards out
Let your toddler drizzle the glue all over. I had to rotate the cookie sheet a few times and guide her around so that there wasn’t just a big puddle haha, but she got the hang of it. The best part is that it’s her design!
Sprinkle glitter over the top and then shake off excess.
Let it sit until it dries.
You can write your thank you message on the back with a note “Handmade by…”

The above images are the 2nd set we made recently. Here’s the ones she made for her birthday. I love that she’s super proud of them, and that she has a part in the actual “Thank You” process 🙂 Have fun!

Polenta Torte

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Like gorgonzola? Then you will love this dish! Don’t like it? Then simply omit and stick with the parmesan cheese. This is a wonderful polenta & greens dish, spiced with some hot chili flakes and pepper and topped with cheese. Not really a kid dish, given the spice, but you could make a dish of plain polenta and top with cheese – a favorite in our house!

Ingredients

4 c lukewarm water
1 c stone-ground coarse cornmeal
salt to taste
1-2 lbs mixed tender greens (spinach, kale, arugula)
3 Tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
ground black pepper
1 garlic clove
1/2 c grated pecorino cheese (like parmesan)
Crumbled gorgonzola

Directions

Heat olive oil and add pepper flakes, ground pepper and garlic – sauté until fragrant but don’t let the garlic brown or it will turn bitter
Pour half of the oil in a large glass baking dish
Add water & cornmeal & salt and bake, uncovered, for ~50 minutes
Add greens to skillet with leftover oil and cook for 10 minutes (covered) stirring frequently, removing lid at end and raising heat a bit to just evaporate any liquid left
Remove baked polenta from oven and with a spatula, scrape off the top 1/2 layer of polenta, set aside
Add cooked greens to the baking dish with polenta, sprinkle gorgonzola and half of the parmesan, and then cover with the rest of the polenta
Top with parmesan and return to oven for 10-15 minutes
Serve warm!

Chunky Knits + Comfy Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans + Lace Up Boots

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The good news? I think I found the perfect destroyed boyfriend jeans. The bad news? They don’t make them anymore. 😦

I scored these new on eBay for $27, originally $231(I sometimes wonder how the sellers get their stock, but then…I figure I don’t really care haha-whoops)

Most destroyed boyfriend jeans are 100% cotton (that fabric tends to fray the best) The downside is that they either stretch out and give you saggy butt, or they don’t stretch at all-which isn’t all that comfy! These are stretchy but don’t stretch out, aka what I totally look for in a jean! I’m a little embarrassed about how many times I’ve worn these since I got them a few weeks ago… :} I made the mistake of giving her my phone in the car while I snapped a few pics of me. She found her way to the Disney Collector and there was NO taking that phone out of her hands haha. If you don’t know who she is (you’re lucky!) If you have a toddler, my guess is that you do. They all seem to find her somehow!!?? It kind of cracks me up to see her looking so serious 🙂 The only way to get the phone out of her hands was to go to the playground. I took these after we got home. She’s walking her yoyo 😉 On me…

Sweater- Zara (last year, similar here)

Jeans- Genetic Denim Masen Ex Boyfriend (ebay, sold out but I bet these are just as comfy!)

Boots- 20+ years old (similar here and less expensive here)

On Maya…

Top- Ahoy Amigo

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

Shoes- Converse (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…

I actually took these right after Halloween. I was stock piling pics/posts on days that weren’t raining in anticipation of the inevitable monsoon season, then…we got super lucky with great weather for the last few weeks! So, I’ve got extras thank goodness, because I’m so flipping overwhelmed outside of this blog I could cry (and admittedly have a few times…). Again…this blog is the thing I look forward to working on, during breaks, when things are going to %&$#, so…thank you to all of you that are following along. 🙂

THIS is Maya finding a piece of candy on the sidewalk and balancing it on her head haha.

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

Kimonos + Black Ripped Skinnies (and a video!)

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I LOVE the look of kimonos! They can be a little tricky to wear though. At least for me. I see them on other people, and pretty much love however they are worn. But then I try it, and I end up taking them off haha. LOVE this one from Free People. Really, anything Free People makes, I love lately.

All that said. I realized as I was going over these images that I looked totally pregnant in this outfit- I’m NOT! I definitely learn things after posting outfits. There’s only so much that you can see when you look in the mirror. Especially when you take all of about 2 minutes to get dressed! I thought all loose and flowey would be good on top with the skinny jeans on the bottom, but…I’m thinking a tighter shirt might have been a better idea. Oh, well! 🙂 All that said, if I were pregnant, I would TOTALLY rock this outfit as well! Although, I still might do a tighter shirt to showcase the bump 🙂 But ooooooh, that cascade of flowing fabric?? LOVE!! This next one cracks me up haha. Kind of an outtake, but too funny not to include! Maya’s face, and the side karate kick-love it! Again…NOT PREGNANT!! :{I’ve been wanting to do a video of how I take our shots with a self timer and tripod. I’ve done a post about it, but I really want to do one that goes over the entire process, because I really want to show Maya’s role in it (here’s a video of Maya doing it all by herself 🙂), and how much fun she has. But haven’t had the time yet. I did manage to capture this video of me doing the thing Maya loves the most. Flying in the air-aka working out with your toddler :). I am SO glad I finally did it-LOVE IT! I may or may not have already watched this about 827 times 😉

And here’s the image I took in the video! Honestly, all the stars aligned in that I got this shot the one time I shot the video. I would have just posted another one that wasn’t videoed had I not hahahaha (just keeping it real ;))The dress Maya is wearing is SO ADORABLE!! The only problem is that it’s 100% silk (aka is a wrinkle nightmare) and it’s short sleeve. But, she’s been asking to wear it every since I bought it (for $1.50!!!!), and I kept putting her off. Finally, I gave in and just layered her up. 🙂 It cracks me up how opinionated she already is (insert snicker from my dad!!) She is her mother’s daughter 🙂

Lion in hand… She has to be holding a toy at all times 🙂Are you kidding me with that look??? 🙂And then THIS? I just wanted to scoop her up and smother her with kisses!! On me…

Kimono- Free People “Printed Duster Scarf” (Nordstrom Rack, can still buy it here)

Top- Mod’Land Paris (thrifted, similar here)

Jeans- J Brand Skinny Leg Shadow Destroyed (ebay, not destroyed here and less expensive here)

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

On Maya…

Jacket- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)

Dress- CrewCuts (thrifted, but similar drop waist style here)

Leggings- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)

Boots- Kids Feet (Consignment Store credit used, similar here)

Keeping it Real…

Here’s a few outtakes I took before I had the thought to video it. What’s really funny is that I’ve always performed better under pressure-HA! I had to totally laugh when I saw this next on the back of the camera. Where’s Maya??! hahaha And then…I flipped the camera to portrait vs landscape ;).

And one that I caught on the way down vs up…

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

Chocolate Pumpkin Chiffon Pudding

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This is an amazing, rich and silky chocolate pudding inspired by Elanaspantry.com. Yes it has pumpkin in it, but no it did not taste like pumpkin! So if you are looking for a pumpkin flavored pudding this is not it. But a great way to add some pumpkin to a dessert.

The original recipe called for raw egg, which I’m not a fan of, so I’ve modified the recipe to allow for cooking the egg.

I bet this would be amazing with some Coconut Cream Pumpkin Spice Frosting (Let me know if you try it :))

Ingredients

½ cup pumpkin puree
½ cup coconut milk
2 eggs
½ cup coconut sugar
1 cup chocolate chunks, melted
dash of celtic sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

In a double boiler (I use a stainless steel bowl in a pot of 1-2″ of water) combine pumpkin, coconut milk, and eggs
Whisk while mixture heats, and keep whisking till hot and bubbly
If egg starts to turn solid (clumping) use an immersion blender to fix
Mix in chocolate, sugar, salt and stir till chocolate is melted
Add vanilla and remove from double boiler
Transfer into ½ cup jars, and place in fridge for 2 hours to set

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