Easter is next weekend, and I’ve been searching for some fun things to add to my girls’ Easter Baskets. I’m not a fan of giving them candy, so I prefer to fill them up with some cute accessories or small toys. I also love the idea of adding a few fun things for summertime, to get us excited for the warm months ahead. Here are some cute finds, in a mixed variety for both age groups.. Chloe (8) and Capri (4).
Last weekend we celebrated our beautiful girl, Chloe Mae. She turned 8 years old and has been obsessed with everything Disney Descendants. I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled when she wanted this party theme, but together we made it fun.. and not too “wicked.” Here’s a peek at some of the party details..
I really enjoy these themed parties and dread the day that my girls no longer ask for them. My favorite part is planning them together and gathering their ideas too. As they are getting older, I cherish these moments with all my heart.
Entering our home and having a newly styled entryway is not something I thought we really needed. But when I started adding some simple pieces (some new and some already on hand), the space started to feel so much more welcoming. I recently shared our Entryway Reveal, and today I’m sharing all the sources..
I’m so excited to finally share with you our entryway. Stepping through our front door, I never thought the space was top priority, or needed much attention at all. I knew I wanted a console table, but wasn’t sure how it would fit with our floor to ceiling side light windows. But once I added the table, and began styling it, I absolutely loved it! By adding just a few simple pieces, our home feels so much more inviting.
My favorite addition to our entryway is the rug. It makes a world of a difference having a rug that fits so perfectly. I’ll share all the sources in the next few days, so check back soon!
Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your spouse over a romantic dinner? Or together as a family with your kids? We like to make it special with our little loves, and today I’m sharing a super simple recipe that’s so fun to get your kids involved, and “helping” in the kitchen.
Fruit Salsa with Heart Shaped Cinnamon Sugar Chips is the perfect appetizer or sweet treat for your Valentine’s Day dinner. It is so versatile, and can be used with a variety of different fruits. We used strawberries, raspberries and apples (to make it look pretty with pinks and reds). But, you can add pears, blueberries, blackberries, pineapple.. the list goes on!
I had Chloe (my older one) cut the fruit into tiny pieces, and then Capri (the youngest) mixed it all together. We all took turns with the cookie cutter shapes and sprinkling the cinnamon sugar. It was a fun activity and delicious treat that we were all able to create together.
Cinnamon Sugar Chips
Ingredients:
4-6 burrito-style tortillas
coconut oil cooking spray
cinnamon sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cut tortillas into appropriate shape with cookie cutter
Spray with cooking spray
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
Bake for 10-12 minutes
Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool
Serve with fruit salsa or store in an airtight container
Fruit Salsa
Ingredients:
1 cup strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1 large apple
squeeze of citrus to prevent apples from browning (we used a squeeze of grapefruit)
Today I’m sharing a quick (and FREE) printable for Valentine’s Day. I purchased a bag of heart shaped lollipops, but wanted to be able to personalize them for Chloe’s classroom Valentine exchange. I created a fun graphic, printed the file, and cut the squares. Then, Chloe will personalize each one and attach them to the lollipops with either tape or a dot of glue.
It’s cute + quick and perfect for so many different sweet treats! Enjoy!
Last week, the polar vortex had us craving everything warm + hearty. We’ve been eating our fair share of salads and chicken this month (with our goal to eat more healthy this new year), but with the frigid temps, we prefer comfort food. Can you blame us? This Slow-Cooker Bolognese is the perfect meal on a cold winter night.
Slow-Cooker Bolognese
Ingredients:
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp tomato paste
1lb ground beef
1lb bulk italian sausage
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
t tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp kosher salt
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup red wine
freshly ground black pepper
shaved parmesan (for garnish)
fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil.
Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook until tender, approx. 5 minutes
Add tomato paste and stir until combined.
Add ground beef and italian sausage, cook through, approx. 8 minutes
Transfer mixture with a slotted spoon to slow cooker
Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, salt, milk, and red wine. Season with pepper and stir until combined
Cover and cook on low, 6-7 hours
Discard bay leaf
Serve over pasta (we prefer a jumbo penne)
Garnish with parsley and parmesan
Enjoy!
ps.. With our goal to eat more healthy, I cook with all organic ingredients. All of my veggies, pasta, crushed tomatoes, milk and even the red wine are USDA Organic. Our beef is always Grass-Fed. I’ve done a lot of research of what goes into our bodies, and the quality of the ingredients are very important when it comes to feeding my family.
Whew! We made it through the polar vortex and the month of January! I am so happy that today is February 1st.. it just means we are a little closer to spring + celebrating the month of LOVE. I typically don’t like to decorate for every holiday.. it always seems to look cluttered, and just more things I have to find storage for. But, I love adding splashes of pink + red for Valentine’s Day. It brings a fresh spring-like feel. And lets face it.. we sure love the color pink around here, so the majority of the things don’t have to even be packed away for next season. Here are a few of the pieces I’m adding to our home this year..
Happy NEW Year! We had the best Christmas break filled with quality family time, fun with friends, good food and lots of laughter. We also celebrated my sweet baby girl turning FOUR!
Each year, we take our girls to the Nutcracker Ballet. It is honestly my favorite Christmas tradition. Last year, was Capri’s first time, and she absolutely LOVED it. Since then, she requested that her next Birthday was a ‘Nutcracker’ theme Birthday party. So for the past year, I’ve gathered some fun party accessories and had so much fun with all the details.
Seeing her face light up at the Nutcracker this year (and her dancing in the lobby), was just the greatest joy. This little girl is filled with so much sparkle and delight, and is such a gift to our family.
There’s something about Thanksgiving that just brings back the BEST memories from growing up. Gathering together at our Grandparents house, and celebrating the holidays with all of our Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, was always so much fun! And there’s nothing like having all the traditional Thanksgiving food, to remind me of all the special times we shared together.
One of my favorite recipes from Thanksgiving is my Grandma’s ‘Old Fashioned’ Cranberry-Orange Relish. I’ve taken that over, and prepare it as one of our most loved Thanksgiving side dishes. I still have her original recipe card that I cherish and love, and always chuckle to myself when I add a “jigger” of Brandy! Just maybe keep an extra dish for the kids without it. Ha! I am so amazed at how quick + simple it is, and can even be made a few days ahead of time. It’s a huge timesaver when you’re trying to prepare so many dishes at once.
My Mom and Dad now host Thanksgiving, and I love that they still carry on so many of the holiday traditions.. to make it all that more special for our kids. And I hope they carry on the same traditions.
