Fun Find

I loved flower pressing as a kid.  I'm not even sure why exactly, it's not a very fruitful hobby.  I remember picking blooms off my mom's potted pansies without her approval and then carefully pressing them between two sheets of cardboard.  My press always felt "fancy" to me, as there were several screws you cranked to ensure the press was successful. When I saw these glasses over at Cupcakes and Cashmere and a wave of nostalgia for those lazy summer days, picking and pressing flowers which later ended up glued onto birthday cards for grandparents.  

Anyone else press flowers as a kid?  I think I might buy these glasses solely to indulge in that sweet memory.

image/urbanoutfitters

April Favorites (a few days late)

+ Native deodorant (paraben and aluminum free) - by far the best natural deodorant I've tried, clean, fresh scents, and comes in the traditional stick form

+ the show Life in Pieces on Netflix

+ the Moana soundtrack (of the childrens tunes we own, this album hasn't driven me crazy yet, I attribute to the fun, catchy beats)

+ two young adult novels by Jennifer Niven, All the Bright Places

and  Holding Up the Universe, both are intense and heart wrenching at times, but I couldn't put them down

+ this delicious recipe for everything Greek pork pitas

+ this post about teaching children consent (especially #2, "don't pout" which I think is something my parents' generation does all the time and until now, I never realized this could be teaching kids to feel guilty in relation to consent)

+ this post makes me want to get back to Croatia

image/pinterest

Big Little Lies

Did you watch Big Little Lies on HBO?  If you're looking for a short, intense drama series this one might be worth a watch.  I read the book upon which the series by Liane Moriarty years ago, and while there are similarities between the two, there are also significant plot differences.  

Ultimately I found the series a compelling drama, difficult to watch at times as it features some heavy topics including rape, infidelity, and domestic violence and rape in a marriage.  Having said that, it also employs the typical plot twists that keep you on the hook episode to episode, wanting more.  It debuted in the traditional series format of one episode per week, but now all seven are live so you could opt to binge watch it if so inclined.  Nicole Kidman gives an astonishingly strong but wounded performance, in my humble opinion.

However, one of my favorite parts of this series was its soundtrack!  My personal favorite is the Elvis cover of "Don't" by cast member, Zoe Kravitz.  The soundtrack is packed with catchy R&B songs as well as new riffs on familiar favorites.  Worth a listen!

Have you tuned into Big Little Lies?  What did you think?

image/thespin

Good Friday Fun

Happy Easter!  We'll be participating in a few egg hunts around our neighborhood this weekend, feasting on brunch goodies all day long, and visiting with some out of town family.  Have a good one!

+ how cool are these succulent cupcakes?!  (pictured above) and more succulent sweets here.

+ loving this before/after house tour, I love seeing the potential a home can have (I don't personally have an eye for this but find it fascinating!)

+ this little girls dressed covered with toucans is simply adorable

+ another reason I should start running again!

+ have you ever used google flights? if so, what do you think?  I'm so curious!

+ eyeing this amazing spread

+ loving these simple, easy pretzel m&m bites for kids easter snacks

+ curious to try making detroit style pizza at home.  fun fact: my husband grew up eating buddy's pizza which was the inspiration for this detroit pizza trend (while I'm taking a a moderate vacation from the gluten-bandwagon, my family is still on board).

+ going to take this personality test this weekend!

image/ivenoven

Weeknight Baking: One Bowl Gluten-Free Banana Bread

Lately I've been experimenting with avoiding gluten in my daily eating, and have noticed that when I do eat it from time to time, there's a noticeable difference in how I feel.  While I won't proclaim myself gluten-free by any means, I and exploring other alternatives in baking and meal planning.  

We had an abundance of bananas browning on our counters, so I opted to try a gluten-free recipe, if only to get a gauge on how it would turn out.  I used Minimalist Baker's recipe, and it was really moist and flavorful.  Would definitely try this recipe again. 

image/minimalistbaker

Cookbook Crush: Skinnytaste Fast and Slow

Of all of my cookbook crush posts, this one has to be the most "successful" in terms of recipes attempted, made, and flagged for future use.  I've had Skinnytaste Fast and Slow roughly a month (after checking out from the library to verify it's credibility), and as of today, I've made 7 of the recipes, several more than once.  The selling point of this cookbook is the abundance of slow cooker recipes, simplicity of directions, emphasis on quick prep, and overall flavor packed in every meal.  I mean it, every meal has been delicious!  In fact, I've discovered that two of my close friends also swear by this cookbook, and since our revelation, we've had an ongoing text thread sharing our latest meals, suggestions, and tips.  

I know, I know, I'm a big pusher of cookbooks, but don't believe me?  Here's the recipes we've made thus far: egg roll bowls, slow cooker hamburger stroganoff, slow cooker Korean-style beef tacos, Greek sheet pan chicken, slow cooker buffalo chicken lettuce wraps, Santa Fe turkey egg rolls with avocado ranch sauce, and slow cooker goulash with sauerkraut.  Most (but not all) have been hits with kids, which is also a huge bonus.  Truth be told, I was even reluctant to pick up this cookbook as I didn't love her first cookbook (I was a little put off by the title 'Skinnytaste' if I'm being honest), but I'm so glad I opted to give Gina Homolka a second chance.  Worth every penny.

image/amazon

Friday Fun

Hello my dear readers.  How are you?  I've had a slew of posts on my to-do list, and am finally getting around to them.  Funny how that works.  These days I put find that my to-do list contains items such as "paint nails," and "send email to x."  When did that happen?  I can remember a day when to-do lists seemed to only be lined with jobs of the utmost importance, rather than mundane day to day dribble.  There's a penny for my thoughts...  Have a lovely weekend!

+ fan of legos?  what do you think of lego tape? or this lego mug!

+ what it's like to come to the US as a refugee

+ a well rounded summation of the life and works of Amy Krouse Rosenthal, RIP

+ how to throw an alter-ego party

+ just learning that there are 4 ways to make a fried egg, who knew?

+ 5 podcasts to listen to while you cook

+ I've always wanted to go to Maine, have you been?

+ four questions to ask your kids at bedtime

+ my friend wrote a book!  if you're a momma, have you read it?  

image/bbb