Caramel highlights

Thinking of getting a little color done with my next haircut.

Nothing drastic.

Maybe some soft, caramel-brown highlights...

Pretty.

~images via pinterest~

Shit Stay at Home Moms Say

Whether you are a S.A.H.M. or not,

this is pretty damn hilarious.

I know I've caught myself talking about similar things a time or two!
Not sure which is funnier, the original or the outtakes.
Oh, and gotta love those Mom jeans.

This will likely prompt a thorough YouTube search...

You're welcome / I'm sorry.

:) 

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

One of our favorite freezer meals!

And it makes FIVE 8 x 8" pans. (a.k.a. so worth the effort.)

Make one pan tonight and bank four more  in the freezer for later.
Read:  When the thought of meal prep and washing dishes makes you want to scream.
Like last night.
:)

Note:  If you have a big family, you probably want to use larger pans which will likely yield 3 pans total.
Still, worth the effort!

Recipe {HERE}.

They last in the freezer for approximately 3 months.
You can freeze in glass OR aluminum pans, I typically prefer the later for quick clean-up when I'm super busy.
(I choose to be environmentally green in other ways, I promise!)

When you're in need of a quick meal,

simply top with a can of your favorite enchilada sauce and shredded cheese,

and  bake for approximately 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Add sour cream, tomatoes and/or avocados and your're set!
(Also good just plain.)
Serve with chips and salsa (and a nice cold Mexican beer!)

Enjoy the dinner that just keeps on giving!

P.S.  Any leftover chicken meat makes for delicious chicken tacos.  Also freezes well!

~potos by b~

The Friday Five

Happy Friday!

Another busy week has come and gone.

I am sooooo ready for the weekend.

1.

Girl Power!

I know, I know.  I'm a little late to the game with this one.

(And Alicia Keys is right up there with Christina and Maria in the "beautiful voices but after one song I want to consume an entire bottle of Excedrin Migraine" realm.

But this remix is catchy and full of girl power.  

Enjoy, ladies!

2.

maroon + navy + tan

A perfect January color combo, no?

3.

Uplands Cheese

Holy cow, pun intended, is this shit good.

Directly from a sweet little farm in good ol' Dodgeville, Wisconsin.

We had it {HERE} last week and I've been Jonesing for more ever since.

Too bad I've missed this particular cheese's peak season,

but I'm bound and determined to find myself "a" wheel somewhere!

Buy it {HERE}.

(P.S.  If a Wisconsin girl recommends a cheese, I suggest you listen.)

4.

Hot Beverage Bar

I think all this snow and cold weather calls for a party with a Build-Your-Own Hot Beverage Bar.  It is awards season (and NFL playoffs) afterall!

 

5.

Indoor Activities for Toddlers

{HERE}

...because who wants to step outside when it's -20 degrees.

I hope I turn out to be such a fun and creative mom!

 

And a few more links for fun...

I think I need this all-purpose sweatshirt dress.

Why not 10 more sweater dresses while we're at it.

I'm digging these pendant lights.  Cute above a kitchen bar, no?

I want to be invited to this grown-up tea party.

Roasted veggie tacos.  YUM.

Haha!

Happy Friday!

~images via pinterest, uplands cheese, make it luxe, hip hostess~

Mid-century modern

Definitely my husband's style.

And if you call it "mid-century California modern"

or "mid-century Danish modern,"

I'm in.

What do those terms exactly mean, you ask?
(They're real.  Google it.)

I'd say they're an updated version of the original architectural idea.

Versions that include more 21st century luxuries,

along with incorporating lots of natural elements,

and a feeling of warmth (by hybrid-ing with more comfortable pieces).
A vibe that isn't necessarily conveyed in the original Mad Men-esque version of mid-mod.

Here are some examples of what I have in mind...

(We can keep the Eames chair.)

Beams and LOTS of windows.

Hello, nature.

Indoor-outdoor spaces.

Corner fireplaces (and other original mid-mod accents...like those chairs.)

Can you dig?

~images via pinterest~

A tale of two growth charts

I was reading the latest issue of Baby magazine and was so intrigued by one of the articles on growth charts.  Did you know your pediatrician most likely uses the CDC growth chart {HERE}, as it compares growth among American babies?

However, it is a well-studied fact that a lot of American babies are not breastfed beyond 4-6 months.  And breastfed babies, while they grow like little weeds during the first 6 months of life,slow down in the growth department between 6 and 12 months.  Thus, if you're like me and slightly annoyed worried by your mom friends' posts on Facebook about how their little Butter Ball is in the 100th percentile, fear not!  Plot your little one's numbers into the WHO growth chart {HERE}, which compares babies from all around the world (read: who are predominantly breastfed to 12 months, which is considered to be "optimal" feeding conditions).

Example: My little guy is 15th percentile for weight according to his American counterparts.

But when plotted on the WHO growth curve, he's more in the middle.

(I certainly don't think he looks like a skinny minny!)

Interesting, no?

I find it fascinating.

Especially in lieu of the tripled rates of childhood obesity in this country.

It would be an interesting study to conduct!

P.S.  Back to that annoying, braggart mom "friend" on Facebook.  Does she even know what 100th percentile means?!? It means in a room of 100 babies, her's is the very fattest.  Let's see if she's bragging about that come 3rd grade.  (Whew, I feel better now.)

;)

P.P.S.  Sorry, aforementioned mother.  I should make like one of my truly good mom friends and just ignore all the growth chart hoopla.  Babies all grow at their own pace and we shouldn't worry about it.

Hakuna Matata!

~photo by b~

Resolutions

It's not too late to talk resolutions is it?

I say, it's still January, so it's fair game.

Last year, I made {THESE} New Years' vows.

I think I upheld most of the deal...

at least until we welcomed our bundle of joy into our world.

This year, it's more about finding a healthy balance of my old self (read: pre-baby) and my new self  (read: new mom and new full-time j-o-b in a new career).  

Sounds fairly easy, but I assure you, fatigue sets in and it's all I can do from falling asleep on the couch at 6:30pm along with the baby most nights.

So, for 2013, I hope to restore

the fun-loving, domestic, Martha Stewart persona I once was with:

• a clean, organized home (clutter be gone! you're stressing me out)
• more home-cooked meals (that don't necessarily come pre-assembled from my freezer)
• date nights (even if it means hiring a trusted babysitter after my mom is no longer our au pair)
• some form of exercise (at least 3 times per week)
• a few hours of alone time per week (in the form of bubble baths, early a.m. blog time, retail therapy and/or a good ol' shellac mani)

Oh and finding ourselves a "home".

Let the searching and moving and decorating ideas begin!!
As for all of you...

:)
What are your resolutions for the new year?
Have you already broken any of them?


~images via pinterest~

Recipe remix

Here's a little update on {THIS} easy weeknight meal....

Simply add fresh cranberries along with the apples!

It makes for a tart, colorful addition to an already tasty, one-pan meal.

They are still in-season in grocery stores, but probably not for much longer!

This time, instead of spicy Swiss chard,

I paired the pork chops and applesauce with 

balsamic and bacon roasted green beans.

Gotta love all that salty-sweet goodness!

Oh, and while we're talking recipe remixes,

we have also been enjoying {THIS} kale salad with {THIS} lemon vinaigrette.

I'd have to say,

both the originals and the remixes are de-lish!

(Not to mention easy on the figure.  Helllooooo resolutions! )

Enjoy.

~photos by b~

Pure sweetness

Hope you're enjoying a relaxing weekend

with those you love most!

I know I am.

:)

~photos by terry / image via pinterest~

The Friday Five

It's FRIDAY!At last.

May it treat you right.

1.

JT is back!!

I've died and gone to teenage Heaven.

2.

Eberjey lingerie

I am obsessed with these slouchy p.j.'s.

More (read: sexier) pieces found {HERE}.

3.

Sandwich addiction.

I have been eating this one almost daily - 

tomato, avocado, cucumber, sprouts, low-fat chive cream cheese,

freshly cracked black pepper, on toasted oat grain bread.  YUM.

4.

Luxurious bathtub + Home libary in one?!?!

Shit yes.

Michael Cunningham, you sick genius.

More {HERE}.

5.

Car Travel with Kids

Some really great ideas (well, aside from the beef jerky).

{HERE}

But I have to say, the "alphabet game" was a favorite of mine as a kid...

cheers to the lucky duck who first spots an "x" in a road sign!

And a few more interesting links...

Molly Sims' sweet little nursery.

(Kinda reminds me a little bit of ours', no?)

Some awesome aprons for that special cook in your life.

How hotdogs are made.  (I just threw up.  You might, too.)

HBO "Girls" season 2 preview & review.

(So oddly uncomfortable and entertaining at the same time. First ep sucked me in!)

Some truly inspiring inspiration boards for your upcoming party/wedding.

Hehe.  Too true!

Have a good weekend, m'loves!

~images via eberjey, pinterest, workinprogress~

Fashionable maternity wear

What, you say?  Is there such a thing?

Yes.
Bookmarking the website HATCH immediately for the next time around.

Some of my favorite mama-to-be looks...

Super cute, right?

Where's your favorite place to shop for maternity gear?

~images via Hatch~

Bunker down

These bunk bed havens have me wishing I were 10 years old again.

I wouldn't mind sharing my space with a sibling if it looked like either one of those.

Fun, right?!

~images via restoration hardware & pinterest~

Modern wedding

Here's a little ode to a San Francisco wedding (and bride) I'm swooning over.

From her sweet, short dress to the apple red nails

to the fun invites and personal touches...

I can't get enough!

See all the sweet details {HERE}.

Even their engagement session was charming!

Don't you sometimes wish you could plan your big day all over again?

I LOVED planning mine and would do it annually if it were socially acceptable.

;)

~images via Snippet & Ink~

Lactation cookies!

Holy hell.

Where have these been the last few months I've been struggling with supply?!?

I first heard about "lactation cookies" from a co-worker,

then did a quick search on Pinterest.

With too many recipes to choose from {HERE},

I decided to adapt them all into my own delicious concoction...

But before I really get started (and lose over half my audience),

let me preface by saying these don't make breast milk magically appear out of nowhere.  Therefore, perhaps "lactation cookies" isn't an appropriate name for these little gems.

Maybe they should be called super expensive "healthy ass cookies".

They just so happen to be full of healthy galactogogues

(read: foods that boost your milk supply),
which also so happen to be really good for you anyway - 

oats, flax seeds, nuts, and Brewer's yeast!

Note to self:  Brewer's yeast is NOT found in the baking aisle or in the beer section.

It is found in the vitamins and supplements section of the grocery store.

(Thank me later after you've avoided a painfully embarrassing encounter with the uppity Whole Foods employee.)

It is also expensive as hell.
As in $16 per can.

Good thing it's rather flavorless and immensely healthy,

so you can sprinkle it on just about anything.

Read all about the other health benefits of Brewer's yeast {HERE}.

Now that's all cleared up, let's proceed with this

FLOURLESS (yay, no gluten!) chocolate-studded cookie recipe...

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup softened butter

16 oz real peanut or almond butter

**not Jiffy (or any storebrand), I'm talking "grind your own PB", starting at ~$5 at Whole Foods.  You can easily make your own in the food processor

1 1/2 packed brown sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp real maple syrup

Dry Ingredients:

1/2 tsp salt

3 Tbsp Brewers' yeast

**you MUST use Brewer's yeast to increase your breast milk supply, regular yeast won't work.  If you're just making these for health benefits, I still recommend using the Brewer's yeast, but in this case it would be an optional ingredient

1 cup flax seed (ground) or flax meal

**I ground mine in` my coffee grinder (after an unsuccessful attempt with the mortar & pestle)

3 1/2 c old-fashioned rolled oats

2 tsp baking soda

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1 cup almond slivers (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar until thoroughly incorporated.

Add eggs and beat until mixed.

Stir in vanilla and maple syrup.

Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, mix thoroughly.

Add a little at a time to the wet mix.

Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

Use an ice cream scoop to shape into golf ball-sized balls.

Place on a silpat or greased cookie sheet.

Bake for approximately 17 minutes.

Note:  You can freeze the dough balls on a tray, then store them in a gallon-size freezer bag, and simply bake them off throughout the month for fresh cookies anytime you feel like one!

These are DELICIOUS.

Whether you're a nursing mother...or her dessert-seeking partner in crime!

They are healthy enough to serve as a breakfast cookie alongside your coffee,

in my opinion.

:)

Flourless and full of flax and oats and nutty-protein-goodness.
Oh, and chocolate. ;)

Enjoy!

~photos by b / PB image via playing mom~