Outfits of the Month

What I wore in June - from work, to working out & running errands.

gingham & flares

{gingham button down - target // flare jeans - gap // black block heels - dolce vita // fringe bag - rebecca minkoff}

lightweight essentials

{black gauze button down - target // striped cotton pants - ron jon // sandals - madewell // jute bag - h&m}

weekend workout

{mint activewear set - forever 21 // sneakers - new balance}

summer stripes

{multi striped shirt - vici // white jeans - madewell // blush flats - t.j.maxx // bag - dooney & bourke}

sundress with sandals

{gingham dress - abercrombie // white denim jacket - gap // lace up sandals - target // bag - dooney & bourke}

casual classics

{striped v-neck - madewell // denim skirt - gap // white sneakers - sperry // leather backpack - lucky brand}

distressed jeans, messy bun + hoops

{muscle tank - bella canvas // split hem jeans - gap // woven sandals - target}

utility dress

{button front dress - jessica simpson (similar) // suede heels - target // colorblock bag - coach}

Currently Obsessed

{Milk Makeup Cream Blush Stick}

I used to be a devout powder blush girl but I recently made the switch to a cream formula and I'm loving the results! This Milk Makeup lip + cheek cream blush stick is my favorite - clean ingredients, vegan & cruelty free. I use the color perk, which is a pretty coral with a hint of shimmer, and perfect for summer. I apply it with my fingertips by lightly tapping the color onto my cheeks. It's buildable, doesn't peel off my foundation underneath, stays all day, and adds the most subtle dewy glow.

The Feelings Stick

 

Any parent knows that when your kid is having a meltdown, you will do just about anything to get them through it. Since Jack turned 4 years old, his mood has become very fragile. He rarely throws a tantrum out of anger, but rather has an overly emotional response to something small in our perspective, but feels major to him. Often times it's rooted in disappointment - the way he wanted something done was not executed to the plan he had in his mind. For example: giving him the "wrong" cup for his milk.

In instances like this, I will remind Jack that I cannot read his thoughts, so if he wants something specific or done in a certain way, he needs to communicate that and I will help facilitate, within reason of course. Jack is very good at naming his feelings (frustrated, sad, etc.) and when he was very young, I started asking if he wants a hug when he's having big feelings. 90% of the time it's a yes, and the other times I'll sit near him and say, "I'm here whenever you're ready for a hug." Within a few minutes, we're hugging it out, talking it through and moving on.

Occasionally though, he gets so worked up so quickly, that his breathing becomes very rapid and out of control. We ordered a book from the school book fair called Mindful Me, Happy Me: Stay Cool at School, which offers tools to cope with big emotions - such as deep breathing and mantras. When Jack is in the midst of a meltdown, Greg or I will reference the monkeys in the story and help him take deep breaths. This technique had been working great, up until a few months ago.

A couple weeks back, his preschool teacher (whom we absolutely adore!) told me at pick-up that Jack had a very emotional morning and while she can usually get him to calm down and return to class, she was having a difficult time helping him regulate his breathing. The director of his daycare (fellow parent of a preschooler and all-around wonderful mom) suggested the Feelings Stick.

She had Jack show me how it works:

{Step 1}
smell the flower 
(big inhale)

{Step 2}
blow the pinwheel 

(big exhale)

It worked like a charm! By having a tangible tool with actionable steps, it helped Jack to focus on smelling the flower and blowing the pinwheel vs. mom & dad prompting him to breathe in and breathe out. Genius!

That weekend, we made one for him at home. It was an easy, quick and inexpensive craft - all we needed was a pinwheel, a faux flower and either tape or glue. I let Jack pick out the pinwheel and flower at Target, and once it was assembled, I sprayed some of my perfume on the flower to add an extra element of familiarity and security. I let him choose a spot in our home to keep it so he knows exactly where to find it whenever he needs it.

BBQ Chicken Tortilla Pizza

Pizza is a pretty universally loved food - we eat it once a week in our house! Jack loves to put on his apron and create his own with different sauces and toppings. 

My current favorite is a lighter take on a classic BBQ chicken pizza with a tortilla for crust, sugar free sauce, chunks of grilled chicken for added protein and topped with fresh basil.

It comes together quickly and is perfect for a Friday night!

ingredients

1 tortilla per person 

BBQ sauce 
(G Hughes sugar free is my go-to)

shredded mozzarella cheese

cooked chicken
(great way to use leftovers or rotisserie)

 greens of your choice:
cilantro, spinach, arugula, basil

chopped red onion - optional

directions

{1}

In a large skillet, drizzle olive oil and cook tortilla over medium-high heat until golden brown and crispy.

{2}

Remove from skillet, and place tortilla on parchment paper. Cover tortilla with BBQ sauce, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Top with chicken, and onion if desired.

{3}

Place the parchment paper directly on the oven rack and broil pizza for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts. Top with greens, slice your pie and enjoy!

Ribbed Romper Two Ways

I'm all about athleisure pieces that can play double-duty for a work out and life post-sweat. This ribbed activewear romper is perfect for just that.

It's so versatile, I wore it two different ways in one day: 

{1}

bike ride/walk with Jack 

For a warm weekend outing with my little man, I styled my romper with new balance sneakers, a linen hat, and my crossbody bag to carry just the essentials while I pushed Jack on his tricycle around the neighborhood.

{left: ribbed romper - amazon // linen hat - madewell (similar) // crossbody bag - etsy // sneakers - new balance (similar color)}

{2}

grocery shopping + errands

Next on my list for the day: Publix and Target. I swapped out my shoes for some woven sandals, threw on a lightweight gauze button down, a structured bag and oversized sunnies.

{right: ribbed romper - amazon // gauze button down - ron jon (also worn here & here) // woven sandals - target // bag - coach // sunglasses - free people (similar color)}

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Last weekend we celebrated my mom's 65th birthday, and the countdown to her retirement (less than 3 months!) To mark the occasion, I baked one of her favorite desserts: carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. My co-worker makes one that is to-die-for, and thankfully she was willing to share the recipe. It turned out delicious!

ingredients

C A K E

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour (I use gluten free)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups of oil (I used canola)
3 cups of grated carrots

F R O S T I N G

1 stick butter
1 pound powdered sugar
1 8-oz cream cheese
2 tsp vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

directions

C A K E 

{1}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Apply non-stick spray to baking dish, and set aside. I used a 9x13 glass to make a single-layer rectangular cake, but you could easily do a double-layer round as well.

{2}
In a stand mixer, beat together the eggs and sugar. Add the oil.
In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda.

{3}

Add the dry ingredients to the stand mixer and beat until just combined. Add in the carrot and mix gently.

{4}

Pour the batter into the baking dish and bake for 1 hour. Let the cake cool completely before icing.

F R O S T I N G

{1}
Combine butter and cream cheese in a stand mixer and beat until smooth, without any chunks of cream cheese remain. 

{2}
Add the vanilla and powdered sugar until creamy frosting forms.

{3}
When the cake is cooled, use a knife or spatula to spread the frosting. If desired, add 1 cup of chopped nuts to the top. I used pecans, but walnuts would be great too. Store in the fridge, and enjoy!

2023 Family Photos

 For Mother's Day this year, Greg gifted me a family photoshoot by Grace Oliver Photography. Grace captured our family perfectly - even a candid of Jack playing with a stick while Greg and I took some couple shots! She took our family photos back in December of 2020, and it's crazy to see how much Jack has grown and changed.

The entire gallery is so beautiful, and it's hard to narrow down which ones to print and frame in our home. Such a special gift that I will cherish forever.