Friday Fun

+ check out my post on children's audiobooks over at Libro.fm!

+ intrigued by this ayervedic stress busting nightly concoction for better sleep

+ trying to cut down on my sugar intake, but these brownies have me wanting to postpone that endeavor

+ more chores = more successful kids, score!

+ excited for this new cookbook, except I'm like #99 in line at the library!

+ a great, refreshing, and healthy salad for summer

+ one of my favorite YA books is now a movie

+ I love this new way to beachcomb with your kids

+ the Japanese secret to a longer, happier life

+ the invention of the beach read. always a good idea!

+ ever heard of Trancoso, Brazil? Sounds magical.

+ also on my list - Nantucket!

+ growing a minimalist wardrobe go-to guide

+ a unique pie for summer

What are you up to this weekend?

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Friday Fun

+ the ultimate breakfast deliciousness

+ ten ways you can give up plastic easily - right now!

+ excited for this new cake cookbook

+ the impending sixth extinction - this is extremely terrifying

+ what do you think of the new Taylor Swift song, "Me?"

+ this marinated appetizer will definitely be pinned and added to my ever-long "must-make" list

+ rewatched this favorite movie this week - love it more and more with each watch!

+ rumor has it instagram is deleting the "like" feature. I feel like this could be a good thing

have a good weekend!

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Friday Fun

We're wrapping up Spring Break and eager to jump into Spring.  Our stint of sunny weather seems to have been replaced with a few days of endless rain, but we're making the best of it with extra trips to the library, legos, and the occasional puddle jump.  What are you up to this weekend?

+ upping my veggie sandwich game

+ wise wisdom about how to be a better listener

+ regardless of your religion, do you have a sabbath practice?

+ a gorgeous national park that you've probably never heard of

+ just listened to this podcast about this NYC restaurant, and now I want to eat there!

+ an inventive interpretation of the wedding reception

+ love this beautiful dress for spring (if only it was a tad cheaper)

+ this with salmon for dinner? delish!

+ goal for easter = try naturally dyed Easter eggs

+ just another article reminding us the mental health benefits of girls' weekends

+ heard nothing but good things about this series - have you read it?

have a good one!

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Friday Fun

What are you up to this weekend?  We had such a gorgeous week of bluebird days and sunny cloudless skies.  There was a dash of rain today but it was barely a blip.  Loving this kickoff to Spring.

+ I've been enjoying this funny show on Netflix, which kind of makes me feel like an old lady, but I don't care (I love the dynamic between Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda)

+ just finished this captivating YA tween read (this one is also excellent!)

+ Holi is underway, take a look at these vibrant colors!

+ landmark legislation attempting to ban toxic chemicals in cosmetics was just introduced in California (this bill would ban asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, and 17 orther toxic chemicals in cosmetics). 

+ this post makes me want to visit Seaside, Florida

+ check out this phonetic map of the human mouth, so interesting!

+ want to try my hand a focaccia, Samin Nosrat makes it look so easy on Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

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Friday Fun

+ this squash-onion bruschetta concoction sounds pretty delish

+ doesn't this sound like the loveliest 40th birthday party?

+ i've never been to charleston, but after reading bridget's post (and seeing the bea's nest) I reallllly want to go!

+ i'm not much of a super bowl watcher, but I do love super bowl fare!  thinking I might spice up my frozen trader joe's soft pretzels with these toppings

+ go vegan and you could get beyonce tickets for life...for reals!

+ pretty excited for these colorful stamps slated to debut in 2019

+ i've had a renewed zeal for this podcast lately - loving their thoughts + recommendations

Have a good weekend!

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Friday Fun

How's your week been?  We've had a sick one 'round here.  That January sickness is rough, I tell ya!  It seems we're on the mend and very thankful for things like Kleenex, Netflix, and hot tea with lemon.  Hopefully you're staying healthy wherever you are.  This weekend's my birthday and I want for my birthday this year is for everyone to be happy and healthy.  Here are some links I've rounded up for the week.  Have a restful weekend!

+ dinner anyone?  How do fire roasted pulled pork stuffed peppers sound? Yuuuuummmmm!

+ need clean products for the men in your life? the mens collection, counterman launched this week!

+ New Year's resolutions based on Meyer's Briggs personality types.  Mine's spot on!

+ i'm growing bored of my breakfast routine, might need to mix it up with this

+ just put this book on hold at the library, planning to read cover to cover!

+ have you seen these 3D geode puzzles?  I'm intrigued!

+ this dairy free mint-chip smoothie sounds kind of amazing

+ kind of obsessed with my new shoes that are beyond comfortable

+ hoping to try this creative project with my kids sometime soon

+ keep your data to yourself! 15 privacy changes you should make right now

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Friday Fun

Countdown to Christmas is on!  What are you up to this weekend?  My sisters are flying home from their respective cities, families in tow, and we're got a Christmas concert on the agenda for tomorrow, and a baking day with friends on Sunday.  Looking forward to enjoying holiday cheer with family and friends.

+ officially obsessed with these two new cookbooks

+ holiday foods I want to try making this season: lefse and latkes - ever made either before?

+ and maybe these brownies...I've mostly dairy-free except holiday sweets are my kryptonite, and who can resist salted caramel?

+ loving these family photos (loved this other photo shoot of theirs from years ago)

+ can't stop thinking about this NY Times article

+ middle school misfortunes, this is a heartbreaking but necessary read

+ love the white on white, hardware, and clean lines of this kitchen

+ a Christmas miracle? these two New Yorkers paid off 1.5 millions of people's medical debt

+ ever had pie for dinner?

+ this soup sounds ideal for cold winter nights

+ have you watched the second season of mrs. maisel yet?  the first episode disappointed but the season recovered - p.s. enjoying Zachary Levi as the newest cast addition

+ love this modern version of guess who

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Friday Fun

+ I've always been a fan of old-fashioned correspondence and this lovely article was simply the icing on the cake - there truly is power in writing and receiving thank you notes!

+ this family costume idea is genius!

+ don't think my kids would agree, but I think this side dish sounds delectable

+ hoping to make these little guys with my kids this weekend

+ might have to carve out some time to bake this even more perfect apple pie

+ these two guys doing a michael jackson cover on the cello is insanely good!

+ I have ambitions to incorporate this village into our Halloween decoration someday

+ did you read this cookbook?  interested in the new show based on the book

+ ever thought to style your fall outfits after seasonal molly moon ice cream flavors, I don't know about you but vegan plum crisp sounds pretty delightful!

have a great weekend!

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Friday Fun

Hello, how are you?  Guess what?  I became an aunt again today!!  Yes, and my first niece!  Sweet Lyla Ann was born today in Michigan mid-day, so the weekend is off to a fantastic start!  Also, we're celebrating my daughter's birthday this weekend with a rainbow-unicorn birthday party - bet you wish you were invited to that, am I right?  What are you up to?

+ another great article about Beautycounter's clean mission (if you need another reason to be swayed to this company)

+ i've always wanted to do a New England road trip - but now I'm thinking of narrowing my focus to Maine might be enough - the seafood, the lighthouses, the salty air.  sounds like bliss!

+ might be purchasing this costume for halloween - anyone else thinking ahead?  one kiddo is set in her decision and has been for months and the other is incredible indecisive.  a few of his ideas have included...fire truck, impact hammer, frog, doggy, astronaut kitty...

+ intrigued by this post - do you have a morning "power hour?"

+ some great gift ideas for the 6 and 7-year old range - lots of creative items/products I'd never heard of before

+ wanting to add this to our dinner rotation - I love me a lettuce wrap!

+ ever been to hydra, greece?  me neither.  now i want to go!

+ just abandoned this book, about halfway through it just got dull.  in search of a new one...any favorite recent reads? 

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Saturday Snooze

Happy Friday everyone!  What are you up to?  We're in for a lazy weekend around home, possibly seeing the Blue Angels which are in town for Seattle's annual Seafair.  And I'm excited for a little mom-time with a massage this weekend, woohoo!!!  Have a good one!

+ underestimating the power of gratitude (see, thank you notes are important)

+ fancy a trip to Puglia?  this recap of Matera looks amazing!

+ motherhood in the age of fear

+ the Ringer compiled a list of the 100 best TV episodes on the century (#1 is from my favorite, LOST, and an excellent episode it is!)

+ ever wanted to treasure hunt for real?  this man buried a legit treasure chest in the Rocky Mountains containing rubies, emeralds, gold, and other valuables. thus far, it's never been found!

+ have you been reading about Nia Wilson?  read this.

+ wanting to try this salad

+ this salad also looks kind of amazing

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Friday Fun

Hello out there!  How are you?  Can you believe it's already the end of July?  This summer has flown by!  We've been spending our days in camp, afternoons splashing in our oversized baby pool or a dip in the nearby lake.  The scent of sunscreen has permeated my children's skin.  And if feels as if there's popsicles or ice cream at every meal.  Ah, the sweetness of summer.  Here are some links I rounded up for the week.

+ currently captivated by this audiobook

+ also devouring this book

+ my favorite series on motherhood around the world is back!

+ here's what libraries do in amazon's hometown (a counterpoint to the now-deleted controversial article by Forbes contributor Panos Mourdoukoutas) 

+ learned a new word from my audiobook this week.  ever used this word in a sentence?

+ this has me wanting to take my kids to rome tomorrow!

+ are you into the enneagram?  check out this guide to the enneagram types of your fave books, authors, and characters

+ habit shift i need to adopt: making greener back to school lunches

have a great weekend!

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New Motto

I have a thing with words.  I love quotations.  I love books, especially rereading or relistening to my favorites.   And when I hear a quote I resonate with, I latch onto it.  I've subscribed to a few select quotes in my life, but most recently I've been been rolling beloved children's author Amy Krouse Rosenthal's quote "make the most of your time here" around in my brain, fixating over the weight, importance, and depth of these words.  Seven words that together behold so much meaning and significance. Whenever I'm feeling stressed, annoyed, or dwelling on a small problem or inconvenience, I try and mentally recite this to myself.  Make the most of your time here.  Make the most of your time here.  It helps all the unnecessary noise melt away.  

Amy Krouse Rosenthal passed away at age 51 after a short battle with ovarian cancer.  You may recall her from this piece for the New York Times she wrote about her husband, a love letter of sorts, honoring "this extraordinary man" and their life together.  It is touching and heartbreaking, an unorthodox granting of permission of sorts, her way of expressing that she'd like him to eventually move on and fall in love again.

Somehow knowing the circumstances behind her life, illness, and marriage adds an additional weight and meaning to this quote, and her words, at least to me.  If you're in search of a motto, try this one on for size, I hope you'll find it as useful and purposeful as I have.

Do you have a motto?

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Friday Fun

It's the weekend, hooray!!  After a few back-to-back weekends jam packed with out of town friends visiting, ballet recitals, Father's Day celebrations, we are looking forward to a low key laid back two days.  Currently on the agenda, farmer's markets, bike riding, and hair appointments (that'd be me, yessss).  What are you up to?

+ bookmarking for a backyard picnic fire pit dinner this summer (potatoes are my favorite!)

+ love the details of these little girls' bedroom

+ wearing my summer staple errryday in peony

+ making this festive cake next week

+ kind of love this idea for a savings account

+ enjoyed this quirky, illustrated book and love her instagram account

+ want to make this for dinner soon, looks amazing

+ clean chemical-free nail polish (finally!!)

+ looking forward to a bubble bath using these this weekend (jump on the oil bandwagon with me)

+ love this vintage looking ringer tee

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Fun

+ 5 things to know about migrant family reunification

+ what would Sex & the City look like in 2018

+ have you joined the strawless movement?

+ love the look of this sweet peach rose tart, wouldn't it be perfect for a shower?

+ a comprehensive guide to amsterdam by one of my favorite instagrammers 

+ summer watermelon salad with a spicy twist

+ fancy a honeymoon in japan?

+ have you seen Beautycounter's new eyeshadow palettes?  I'm loving the classic!

+ bookmarking this grandma's spaghetti sauce for fall

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Friday Fun

Kickstarting the long weekend!  What are you up to?  Something fun I hope!  Here are some links to things I've been reading around the web.

+ this 3D skin printer can heal deep wounds within minutes!  isn't technology amazing sometimes?

+ have you heard there's PBS is remake of Little Women in a mini series, will you watch? Here's a review.

+ thinking of making this salad next week

+ almost the season for all things rose - lemonade frose anyone?

+ inspired by abby wambach's commencement speech at Barnard College

+ did you watch the royal wedding? I saw the highlights and loved every detail

+ Swedish law passed today declares sex without consent is rape

+ our world is drowning in plastic

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Friday Fun

This weekend is my birthday!  Woohoo!  Celebrating with my husband and kids, keeping it low key, and celebrating at a kareoke bar with my close knit crew next weekend.  What are you up to?

+ thinking about making this cake for my birthday weekend

+ did you know we average 23,040 breaths per day?  How many do you pay attention to?

+ lovely, nameless feelings

+ real life vs. fictional characters from The Crown

+ just finished this book which I devoured in 36 hours, loved it minus the ending which I feel meh about

+ also just wrapped up this audiobook, highly recommend

+ I jumped on the essential oils bandwagon, and have recently been loving this and this

+ just started this workout program and it's kicking my butt (in a good way)

+ just checked this movie out from the library - I'm excited!

Have a good one!

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Friday Fun

Hello out there.  Anyone still here?  In this space?  Some days I wonder.  Long gone are the days of 2008 and 2009 when a post would garner 5-10 comments. I'm guilty of it too.  I used to comment on all my blog friends posts, but then...what, laziness?  That's the only excuse I can muster.  Playing the tired mama card?  While tried and true, it feels a bit depressing.  I wish we'd get back to the days of commenting and connecting in the blog world, it was such fun at its peak.

+ time magazine's "person of the year" is a group of women known as the silence breakers, voices of the women who stood together against harvey weinstein and others

+ are we living in a world making kids too safe to succeed?

+ did you hear?  Patagonia is suing Donald Trump after his Dec. 4 announcement to shrink two Utah national monuments

+ the wholehearted parenting manifesto, because brene brown, enough said

+ if I could do a second honeymoon, I might follow her itinerary, africa on anyone else's bucket list these days?

+ kind of obsessed with this bag, what is it about charging for guacamole these days?

+ the scientific reason behind why we should all stop saying, "i'm sorry" so much

+ this post has me wanting to visit boston at Christmas time

+ if you're in for pie crust inspiration - these are works of art!

+ wouldn't mind sipping on this naughty + nice cinnamon hot toddy

What are you up to this weekend?

Friday Fun

It's the weekend!!  What a gorgeous week it's been in the Seattle area, crisp blue, cloudless skies, and the vibrant fall colors bursting on the trees, just beginning to carpet the ground.  My favorite time of year!  This weekend we're hosting friends for a little birthday party and friend gathering to celebrate our little guy's 2nd birthday, and other than that, planning to get outside to enjoy a lovely fall weekend!

+ Did you know Bill Gates and Steve Jobs raised their kids tech-free?

+ the aftermath of a canceled wedding

+ For Washingtonians, many recyclables are ending up in landfills - here's why

+ more than 800 people have been shot to death since the Las Vegas massacre...

+ if you've had a rough day, or read too many articles like the one above and just need a little laugh, watch this lip sync battle (if you don't have time for the whole clip, start at the 4:00 mark, Paul Rudd is hilarious!)

+ the return of Stranger Things! anyone else watching this weekend?

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Friday Fun

Hello, hello.  Happy Friday!  It's been quite a week here.  First, we celebrated my daughter's birthday, and since then we've kind of been hunkered down inside due to the thick smoke and falling ash from the local wildfires.  The sun is this fuzzy orange ball, visible through the veils of haze, making the sky a strange off-white grey.  Didn't think I'd say this, but we are ready for rain! We're continuing to pray for those families affected and hoping the fires subside very soon.

Also, praying those also affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.  We donated to the Texas Diaper Bank to support families with young kids in Houston displaced by flooding (did you know that diapers are not included in disaster relief supplies?).  Other great organizations which could always use support include the American Red Cross, Houston Humane Society, and AABB, a task force to manage blood collection efforts.

+ the perfect bathtub caddy (with a place to balance a book and glass of wine!)

+ have you heard of this app, it freezes a kid's phone util they reply to a text!  (created by a parent, of course!)

+ true or false? amazon prime members will get discounts at whole foods?  please?  pretty please?

+ recipes for 10 favorite salad dressings!

+ have smart phones destroyed a generation? interesting read.

+ looking to try these kid-friendly moo shu chicken wraps next week

+ this kyoto travel guide has me missing Japan

+ do you use face oils?  I have in the past but thinking of giving it another go

+ what's your myers-briggs personality type?  

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Friday Fun

+ a thorough roundup of this season's cookbooks

+ this documentary on how our culture treats mental health issues in children sounds fascinating

+ finding virtues, not competition in kids sports

+ in creating a more equitable society, how to raise a feminist son

+ have you heard of minutiae?  the curious app that captures your unfiltered life.  I haven't tried but I'm intrigued.

+ a veggie bridal bouquet - it's quite pretty!

+ intrigued by the idea of pistachio breadcrumbs

+ have you heard of rosato? I'm excited to try it this summer.

have a great one!

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