Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

photo of laguna beach, california {via simply happenstance blog} :: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Hey, hey… happy weekend, friends! Nicole and I hope that you all have had a fabulous week! We’ve been keeping busy with our little ones! In addition to the normal weekly activities, both of our families have set aside time for beach days. Fortunately, we were able to soak up the sunshine before it became overcast and a bit cooler here in Southern California. We know much of the country has literally been freezing! If that’s you… we sincerely hope you’ve been able to stay warm, and have had lots of opportunities to cozy-up to those you adore most!

So… we have some really fabulous finds to share with you below! We hope that you enjoy them! Also… in case you missed it, Bethany U. was the winner of our darling bracelet giveaway from Stella & Dot! {Congrats!!!} Don’t forget… if you are a blogger or Etsy Shop owner, you can now link-up to our Lovelies post Saturday-Sunday! We hope that you’ll join us in the fun, and spread the word! Enjoy the weekend! {xo}

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Healthy Taco Salad {vegetarian}

Healthy Taco Salad Recipe {via Simply Happenstance Blog}! The perfect lunch or dinner! #vegetarian #recipe #lunch #dinner #easymeal #wholefoods

:: Healthy Taco Salad ::

Confession: When my husby is home from work… I do very little cooking. With our new life in the mountains, he not only does 100% of the grocery shopping, but also cooks, so I can focus on homeschooling our four little ones. We eat very well when he is home! He’s super creative in the kitchen {thanks to the near decade he’s spent as a firefighter}. I am truly one lucky wifey!

This healthy Taco Salad is one of our family favorites. We love it because it is so versatile, quick, and easy to prepare. You can basically cut up and add-in any fresh veggies you have on hand from your garden or market. {For meat lovers… you can grill up some chicken, or prepare ground turkey, or lean ground beef to add to the salad.} To be honest… I rarely use dressing, instead I mash up the avocado and add a dollop of salsa. {If you like sour cream or plain greek yogurt, it would make it even creamier!} For those of you that love a simple dressing… a Creamy Cilantro Avocado or Italian drizzled on top tastes divine! [Read more…]

DIY Jewelry Organizer and Giveaway

Do It Yourself Jewelry Orgaznizer

:: DIY Jewelry Organizer and Giveaway ::

I love the New Year!  It’s a chance to refresh and revisit what needs to be prioritized and organized.  This DIY Jewelry Organizer is a fantastic way to keep your jewelry at bay! We hope you are inspired to create your own!

Before we get to the tutorial… Sara and I are excited to offer you a chance to win a pretty baubled bracelet from Stella and Dot’s Spring Collection.  We love GIVEAWAYS!  The lucky winner can add this Amelie Sparkle Bracelet in Peach to their arm candy!  {I think I might need this bracelet too, and a few others from their Spring Collection!} 

Read ahead for your chance to win… but first we need to get our jewelry organized!  Not a small feat, as before this project I had three old dusty jewelry boxes that were becoming more of a place to play for Madeline, than for me to actually use and see what was in them!  My dear friend, Erica, inspired this jewelry organizer.  If you visit her closet, she has her jewelry organized in a similar fashion.  She made me see the light… that unless you have your jewelry displayed, you tend to wear the same pieces over… and over again.  I decided it was high time to cut back and organize my jewelry so that I could enjoy my seasonal and special pieces more often. So first thing is first, before my run to Home Depot, I went through my boxes and made a giveaway, keep, and play pile. 

 Do It Yourself Jewelry Organizer [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

 Winter Quote by John Boswell... {via Simply Happenstance}

 :: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Happy Saturday! Nicole and I hope that you all have had a wonderful week! Any exciting plans this weekend? Since we have a firefighter schedule to work around, our family took a day {yesterday} to enjoy the beach! It was much needed {the quality family time, and the sunshine}! This weekend I’m hoping to catch up on the relentless pile of laundry, and get a little more organized. I tell myself every weekend that I am going to give my school room some of my undivided attention {so that I can plan some educational projects, and organize my teaching materials}. Unfortunately… it never seems to happen! {I’m wondering when you other homeschool mamas find time to plan and prepare for the weeks ahead. If you have any tips… I’d personally love to hear them!}

On a different note, you may have noticed that our Lovelies has been revamped! We are now including a link-up for all of you fabulously talented bloggers and Etsy Shop owners! We would love {love, love, love}, and appreciate you spreading the word, and linking up your favorite recent blog post to share with our readers! We know since our link-up is new… it will probably be slow to grow, but we are hopeful that in time, your blog or Etsy Shop will gain lots of exposure!   [Read more…]

Gluten Free Banana Pancakes

Gluten Free Banana Pancakes

:: Gluten Free Banana Pancakes ::

It’s Sunday morning and I am not fully awake, but my kids are! A foggy slow morning calls for Banana Pancakes.  A weekend favorite, but today I have decided to make a small change to this breakfast recipe.  Anything for my special boy, pancakes it is, but I am switching it up a bit and giving this picky eater a chance to try Gluten Free Banana Pancakes. 

Gluten Free Banana Pancakes

Explaining less and helping out with the meal can sway any picky eater from noticing a small adjustment.  Believe me sometimes I think this kid has eyes in the back of his head and a memory of an elephant {well okay that part is my fault}.  I did have to trick him a little bit as my flour sits in a canister on the counter top.  I measured out the Bob’s Red Mill Biscuit and Baking Mix prior to having Mason assist me with the pancake making.  You gotta do what you gotta do.  [Read more…]