Picnic Favorites
We completely *love* picnics {my husby actually proposed to me during one on the cliffs of Laguna Beach}! They’re perfect for an afternoon of much needed family-time or a date with your special someone!
We searched high & low for the best quality products that are also lovely to gaze at! These eight made it onto our “Picnic Favorites!” If you’re not shopping for yourself, any one of these would also make a charming hostess gift, or summer wedding present! [Read more…]
4th of July Spritzer
** 4th of July Spritzer **
Summer is here and it’s time to “Cheers” to sunny beach days and barbeques. One of my favorite parts of summer is entertaining outdoors. Whether it’s a neighborhood gathering or friends over for a summer soiree… {okay so maybe the summer soiree really isn’t happening with kids running around, but I would like to imagine it is}.
What we do have in our community are concerts in the park and a big 4th of July celebration! It’s during these summertime occasions that a celebratory drink recipe is needed to cheers the events at hand. A few years ago, I found a tasty fruitful libation while watching Martha Stewart. The recipe that can be found {here}, has a few steps in arranging the beautiful patriotic cocktail. It is a yummy drink that I love and it’s made with Champagne, but it’s one that I have to have the time to make. I came up with this super easy red, white, and blue themed drink. It’s simple, yet refreshing and can be made with or without alcohol.
{weekend} lovelies
{image via: the jew in jcrew, tumblr}
:: Weekend Lovelies ::
Whoo Hoo! School’s out for Summer! Although fabulous to have a break from the normal school routine, it’s usually a bittersweet time for us parents, right?! I mean, let’s be honest… the kids are home around the clock so there can be a lot of sibling bickering going on and requests to play on electronic devices or watch television. If you’re anything like Nicole and I…. you are wondering how you’re going to keep screen time to a minimum, and instead, actively engage their minds with something more worthwhile! This Weekend Lovelies is dedicated to just that! You will find several amazing links for outdoor activities, kid-friendly recipe ideas, DIY play projects, and much more! Enjoy, friends…. and have the loveliest weekend! {xo} [Read more…]
Happy Birthday, Seth!
:: A Love Letter to our Little Man, on His Birthday ::
Dearest Seth,
You are SEVEN today…. How in the world did time go by so quickly?
In all honesty, it seems as if only yesterday that we were frantically driving to the hospital to deliver you. I remember your birth so vividly in my head, perhaps because it was a bit traumatic on my end! Your daddy and I barely made it to the hospital before you decided to make your entrance into the world! Just 35 minutes we had to endure patiently before meeting you. You were our tiniest baby…. just 6 pounds, 9 ounces. I’ll never forget those first tender weeks cradling you in my arms and keeping you all to myself. It was hard for me to let you out of my arms. As you grew…. you had the same issue with me! You only wanted Mommy to hold you. No one else! We called you my little koala for that very reason. [Read more…]
Baked Oatmeal
:: Baked Oatmeal ::
In California we are synonymous for “May gray” and “June gloom.” Since it has been a few mornings of gloom in this lovely month of June, I decided to make some Baked Oatmeal. It is one of my favorite breakfast recipes. It is homey and filling and reminds me of the Fall. I know, I know, its not fall, but sometimes I like to pretend it is.The aroma of cinnamon and applesauce will make your house smell like heaven. Though it sounds rich, it definitely is a light recipe. What I love about this wonderful Baked Oatmeal is that it can be made the night before. You can prepare all of the ingredients and then just pop into the oven. Simple as that, and it makes wonderful left overs.
{weekend} lovelies
:: Weekend Lovelies ::
This {weekend} lovelies, is a reflection of summer dreams + loves. We are counting down the minutes, hours, and few days before we can sit back and slow down a bit. I don’t know about you, but I feel as though I have been holding my breath for the last few weeks. I think the end of the school year activities are causing us to not see straight, or maybe I am not seeing straight because I am worrying about becoming a year older {but wiser}. That being said I will reflect a little bit about the things we love, would love to experience, and are enjoying for the time being. Cheers to another beautiful and lovely weekend ahead! [Read more…]
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
:: Strawberry Oatmeal Bars ::
When it comes to baking, you just can’t go wrong with a recipe that calls for a crumbly mixture of butter, brown sugar, and oatmeal {am I right?}! Combine those ingredients with your favorite flavor of jam {yum!} and you are left with a rich and chewy bar that you can enjoy as a snack or even served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! These delicious bars also pack perfectly in kids lunches and would make a nice treat for a friend!
We were fortunate to have a jar of super sweet homemade strawberry jam that a friend had made for us in our fridge. I used it in this recipe… and I am sure it enhanced the pure tastiness! Although I used strawberry, you can use any flavor of jam of your liking. Peach… raspberry…. blackberry…. whatever you fancy or have readily available! The buttery, brown sugar oatmeal mixture is used for the base of the bar…. and the crumbly topping! It is super easy to make with only one-bowl needed!
The original recipe was taken from one of our favorites {the Pioneer Woman}. Nicole and I love all of her recipes… but as usual, we tend to make a few adaptations based on the ingredients we have on hand. Since my jam was very sweet… I cut back on the brown sugar. I also used half whole wheat flour and half white all-purpose to make it a tad bit healthier {hmm… not sure if that’s possible with all of that butter}!! Any way that you choose to do it… they are sure to come out delicious! Enjoy!
DIY Garden Boxes
{ DIY } Garden Boxes
Do It Yourself- {DIY} Garden Boxes, was a project that I have had on my mind since we moved into our house over two years ago. Our home, though not large, does have a spacious backyard for our community. It was the number one reason why we purchased this house. I have been reading about the simplicity of garden boxes and the benefits of growing your own fruits and vegetables for some time. I myself consume quite a bit of both and the idea of using my own tomatoes in my favorite Pasta Recipe has been a dream of mine.
We made reference to creating these raised garden boxes via Sunset Magazine and Better Homes and Gardens for the basics. Both sites give information regarding materials needed and sizing for the space you have available. First, we asked for the help of our neighbor and “local” gardening expert, Rosa. She visited our yard to see where the garden boxes should be placed based on the suns path. Once we found where we would place the boxes, we measured out the space. We then squared off and leveled the area. Shane went to Home Depot to purchase the following:
* Wood planks
* Screws
* Hinges to connect the corners.
* Drip system water kit
[Read more…]
{weekend} lovelies
:: Weekend Lovelies ::
Let’s get this summer started, shall we? We have just a few more school days until our kids are out for the summer. It’s bittersweet… to say the least. We are thrilled that pajama mornings and family beach days are in the forecast…. but we are saying goodbye to yet another school year {one that went by all too fast}. Nicole & I are gearing up for the days ahead and feeling inspired by the sunshine {as evidenced by all of our recent ‘summer lovin’ pins}! Here’s what has been on our minds….
J. Crew // Swim
Nordstrom // Ray-Ban Wayfarer’s
