mom uniform:: seattle spring

seattle spring by juneheartsfashion

A Seattle spring day.  We can have rain, hail, gloom, and glorious sunbreaks all within the matter of a few hours.  Dressing for this unpredictable weather is a bear.  Layers remain the key, but the fleece and down give way to lighter pieces. 

I am totally crushing on the idea of a bright [and not too expensive] raincoat.  The hood is key for school runs, errands and baseball games.  It is a total bummer to get caught in a downpour with no coverage.  Around here, I could wear this outfit everyday. 

an after school snack: golden nugget mandarin

I may be late to the party, but we are loving the new Gold Nugget mandarin oranges in this house.  They are larger than your typical mandarin orange and look a bit odd with an extremely bumpy rind.  However, they are easy to peel and extremely sweet and juicy [plus no seeds].  Big W ate 3 in one sitting.

I will be serving up a Golden Nugget mandarin with cheese and cashews for a quick "fill-me-up" before a baseball game today at 5pm. 

Look for Golden Mandarins the next time you are in the supermarket.
What are you serving for an after school snack?

in the kitchen- a weekly plan

This week included leftovers and a kid chosen meal.  Not everything is gourmet in this house.  I hope you have a great week ahead and can find at least one meal to make for dinner.  I made two recipes from America's Test Kitchen magazines.  Unfortunately, they don't allow you to access recipes online unless you have a paid subscription.  I had to type the recipes, thus the long post today:

Meal 1::  Weeknight Turkey Bolognese (recipe after the jump)
This was a great recipe but very much a Sunday meal.  Took over 40 minutes, which I consider too long for a weeknight.  There were tons of leftovers, so this will give you one additional meal during the week.

Meal 2::  Italian Cobb Salad
I posted about this salad earlier this week.  Great for a night when you are making dinner at 8pm.  

Meal 3:: Mom's Famous Sliders
Not really famous, except with my family.  I add low sodium soy sauce and Lawry's seasoning to the ground beef.  This recipe's high note is to serve the sliders on King's Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Rolls.  Who can resist?

Meal 4:: Chicken with Butter Beans and Chorizo (recipe after the jump)
This one skillet meal is easy and tasty.  I used chicken chorizo from Whole Foods, but any link sausage would probably work.

be creative this weekend

photo challenge: 3.0/fridge art.
I really do love that Little Man brings art home for me to display.  Fridge art is the best.  This one might make it into a frame. 
next week:: happiness

Remember when we were all artists?  Find a way to be creative this weekend.  How about in the garden, the kitchen, with a camera, or maybe with sidewalk chalk?  xoxo-denise

A few links to share:

WATCH::
Wringing out a washcloth in space.  too cool!
A parody of the Dove beauty sketches. genius [and hilarious to boot.]

ORGANIZE::
The answer to all of my LEGO organization woes?

GET AWAY::
An Airstream camper hotel in Santa Barbara?  Yes, please.  Tomorrow!

LEARN::
My boys are insane about Minecraft.  A 1 minute video to help explain the hype.  #minecraftcrazed

ANTICIPATION::
Gatsby.  Oh, so good.  May 10th.

What is for dinner? italian cobb salad

In the next few hours every mom will be asking herself the very same question, "What is for dinner?".  If your schedule is as hectic as ours this week, sometimes a quick and easy salad is the answer.  How about an Italian Cobb Salad?

a quick list of ingredients:

Romaine lettuce

Basil 

Grape tomatoes

Rotiseerie chicken from the deli

Gorgonzola cheese

Pancetta

Eggs [hard boiled]

Olive Oil

Red Wine Vinegar

Easy dressing:  1/4 cup olive oil, 2 T red wine vinegar.  Whisk in some of the cheese to add an extra flavor boost. 

Crisp the pancetta on the stove for about 5 minutes.  Also saute the grape tomatoes until the skins are wilted.  Build your salad in a large bowl.  Pour dressing on top.  

Dinner is served.  Happy Wednesday!  [It feels like it should be Friday.]

You can also check out my weekly plan for more meal ideas.  

{Image by Where is June?}

a slice to go

To say packing my children's lunches each morning is difficult is an understatement of grand proportions.  Near impossible is more like it.

Big W has always found it difficult to eat in the lunch room.  There is way too much going on for him to concentrate on food.  Since Kindergarten he has eaten most of the contents of his lunchbox at snack time.  Little Man can count the foods he eats on one hand.  He has recently decided that he no longer likes Nutella, which basically sustained him for 3+ years.  So it goes without saying- I have to be creative. 

A recent lunch box staple is cold pizza.  I bake a pizza early in the week and put once slice in their lunch each day.  If I was a real go getter, the pizza would be homemade with organic ingredients.  Since I am NOT, I buy California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizza and call it good.  So far, they are digging the pizza and actually eating it.  But I know it is only a matter of time until I will need to think of something new. 

What are your solutions for packing your kids' lunches? 

{PS.  I have you seen the blog Lunch Box Blues? It is crazy what this dad packs everyday.}

a homemade thankyou

I recently made a batch of cookies for my father-in-law as a thank you.  Wanting to transport them in a disposable container, I scrounged around in the closet.  [I do not have a craft room.  All my crafty supplies get shoved onto various shelves in the hall closet.]  

This is what I came up with:
*a left over ice cream cup from Little Man's birthday party
*washi tape
*fun colored sharpies
*a stray goodie bag
*some ribbon

Tear off a length of tape and stick it to a hard surface.  This will make it easier to write a message.

Simply place the tape on the cup, fill it with cookies, and slip the cup into the goodie bag.

Finish with a ribbon and there you have it!

Teacher Appreciation Day [or week] is just around the corner.  This is an easy, simple [and cost effective] way to say thank you.

in the kitchen-a weekly plan

Our week was crazy busy!  Although I had my plan for dinners, obtaining the groceries to make the planned meals is essential.  I will have to do a better job next week because I was a mad woman on 3 of the nights trying to hustle to the store between drop offs and pick ups.  In the spirit of full disclosure and keeping it real, one night I resorted to chicken salad sandwiches.  So here it is.  Hope you find at least one meal for next week!

Meal 1::
Posole
I had never used pork tenderloin in stew or soup before.  It was a great change of pace.

Meal 2::
Spicy Turkey Meatloaf
I sauteed the onions, mushrooms and garlic and mixed the meatloaf in the afternoon.  After dropping off Little Man at baseball, I ran home and put it in the oven.  This was a super tasty meatloaf and the seasoned ketchup topping was a great addition.

Meal 3::
Shrimp Tacos
My dear husband loves these tacos.  {I have made them before.}  He voted this is as his favorite meal this week.  You can easily make the slaw ahead of time.  This meal comes together in a matter of minutes. 

Meal 4::
Yep. Quick and easy.  Don't judge.

Chicken Salad
Diced chicken breast [I used a rotisserie chicken from the deli.]
Red seedless grapes -sliced in half
2-3 Celery stalks-diced into bite size pieces
Pecan pieces- [If you are an overachiever you could toast them in the oven for 3-5 minutes]
1/4 cup of Poppy seed salad dressing [I used Newman's Own.]

Combine all ingredients and chill.  Serve on bread or rolls of your choice.  

Meal 5::
Beef with Snow Peas
I do want to try this recipe because it sounds delicious. [If you make it, let me know how it is!] However, I totally cheated.  If you want to "fake" it like me.....I cut flank steak super thin, used a bottle of marinade, sauteed snow peas and green onions with the steak, and served it over quinoa.  


{top image via myrecipes.com}

find [some fun] this weekend

 

photo challenge: 2.0 my closet. {iDarkroom}

My sleeveless tops are ready for some action!  I dream longingly for a custom walk-in closet.  For now, I work with what I've got.  It's a small space, with bad shelving, and every square inch of floor space filled with shoes and boots.

next week: artwork

TGIF!!  Get out there and find some fun this weekend.  Can't find any?  Make your own! 

xo-denise

____________________________________________________________________________

JUST FOR FUN:: Tumblr obsessions.

TARGET does it again.  My new favorite tumblr page {+ instagram}.  Who doesn't love Target?

adult runaway.  images that inspire fashion and home.

SHOP::

A possible life saver.  Pinch Provisions.  minimergency kit

DIY::

Dipped cans. Hold your stuff in style.  {REuse from the 3 R's.  Perfect for Earth Day!}

SWEETS::
A donut cake?  Well, why not!  Big W wants this for his 9th birthday.

HOME::

a "hot" print for the kitchen.  via Society 6

radiator whiskey

We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek [and taste] at Radiator Whiskey Monday night.  There were thoughtful details, in every corner, that give this new space charm [and a little grit].  The staff is amazingly talented and welcoming.  The spirits plentiful.  And the food is fantastic.  Let it be said that the 1/2 smoked chicken and potato salad is to die for good!  On any given night out, I am certain this is going to be the place we end up over and over again.

The doors to Radiator Whiskey opened to the public yesterday at 4pm!  Go get some.
Check out RW @ 94 Pike Street | Seattle, WA  

Radiator Whiskey:  A whiskey and cocktail bar brought to you by Dan Bugge of Matt's in the Market, featuring custom and barrel-aged cocktails mixed using craft-distilled spirits, including local labels and a house-branded whiskey by Seattle's 2bar Spirits.

{cool, old wood crates hold an endless selection of whiskey}

{the bar. built from salvaged high school football bleachers}

{vintage post office mail slots used as wine storage}

 {Radiator's 2bar Moonshine}

{Radiator Whiskey is just up the stairs from the heart of the market.}

beauty sketches

 You need to watch this:

How do women view their own beauty?  I was struck by the things the women said after they understood the social experiment. 

"I should be more grateful of my natural beauty."

"It impacts everything. It couldn't be more critical to your happiness."

"That's not how the world sees us."

"We spend a lot of time as women analyzing and trying to fix the things that aren't quite right and we should spend more time appreciating the things that we do like.

In a post last October I wrote:

Ever have a cluster of days that make you feel not so great about yourself?  Something crawls into your head and you just can't shake it.  You might find yourself spending extra minutes in front of the mirror examining all of your imperfections and beating yourself about this or that.  Work harder, drink more water, wear moisturizer, find a better shampoo, get a haircut.

My mantra today, this week, this month.  You are beautiful, pass it along.

[Be gentle with your spirit and give yourself a break.  Remind someone else of her beauty.  She may have forgotten.]

Remind yourself every day.  You are beautiful. 

Watch more @ http://realbeautysketches.dove.us/
or join the conversation #wearebeautiful

pancake muffins

Pancake muffins are all the rage on Pinterest.  I decided to give them a try.  To say they were a huge hit in my house would be an understatement. Big W couldn't stop raving about them...or eating them.  You could make these tomorrow morning if you have pancake mix and syrup.

Simply mix any pancake mix per usual.  Add 1/4 cup maple syrup.  [I didn't have "real" maple syrup, so I used Golden Griddle.]  Add toppings if you choose.  I added chocolate chips, but bananas or blueberries would be delicious too.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. 

And there you have it.  Pancakes for a family on the run.  [Or for boys that don't get out of bed on time and have to eat in the car on the way to school.  Just saying.]

a nutcase

It is bike riding season again.  Finally!  After a long, long winter it is time to ride bikes to school.  I run. They ride.  Little Man isn't old enough to ride without an adult [school rule], so he is stuck with me.  I love it because I get a quick workout in and I don't have to deal with the car drop-off circle.

And you know, when you are riding bikes..... Safety first!
We recently found the best bike helmets ever.  They have totally fun graphics and an easy magnetic closure, which means no pinched skin.  Nutcase makes kid and adult helmets for every kind of activity you can think of. 

 

 {Big W wears a Little Nutty "Silver Fly"}

{Little Man rocks a Little Nutty "Superstar"}

On the back of all the helmets it reads: i love my brain.  How clever is that?  

Many bike stores to carry Nutcase helmets, but all of the styles are shown in the online store.  Check it out.  All of their helmets are really creative and fun. 

Happy riding!

in the kitchen-a weekly plan

Our week of meals.  I hope you can find at least one meal for your menu next week.  And yes, I may have a small obsession with quinoa.  You can always substitute rice in its place. 
{Do you have a friend that would find these plans helpful?  There are easy share buttons at the end of the post.  Please help me spread the love! Thank you so much for reading.}

Meal 1 ::
Best-Ever Barbequed Ribs [sans the barbeque]
These really are amazing ribs on the grill.  We made them all summer.  Big W begged for ribs, but I wasn't about to step outside to the barbeque with the temp hovering around 45 degrees.  They are pretty delicious right out of the oven too.  [I used Rub with Love Smokey Barbeque Rub.]

Meal 2 ::
Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

These had a kick...in a good way.  My kids don't like "spicy", so I left a few pieces out of the marinade and made them plain chicken fingers with the tortilla chip crumbs.  It was an easy solution and we were all still eating the same meal!  [You could easily use breadcrumbs and bake the chicken as an alternative to pan frying.]

Meal 3::
Breakfast for dinner.  You choose.  We had french toast and chicken sausage.  Everyone loves breakfast for dinner in my house!

Meal 4::
Asian Fried Quinoa
I modified this recipe a bit.  I didn't have a lot of time for dicing and shredding veggies, so I used a package of shredded carrots, cabbage and broccoli from the produce section.  Tasted great, and saved a ton of time.

Meal 5::
Chicken and Dumplings {gluten free}
This recipe uses gluten free Bisquick.  The dumpling are light and fluffy, but you can use regular Bisquick and follow the directions on the box.  I used fresh carrots and celery [instead of a frozen mix] and a rotisserie chicken from the deli.  This was my husband's favorite meal of the week!

Bonus Meal::
Tinga Poblana Pulled Pork Tacos

 Our non traditional Easter dinner.  Delicious topped with slaw and guacamole.

Sweet Treat::
The best rice crispy treat you have every tasted.  Hands down.  Posted here if you missed it!

{salted brown butter crispy treats | recipe by smitten kitchen}

find [a classic] this weekend.

photo challenge: 1.0/ books. {instagram}

I have given myself a photo challenge.  Take a photo [instagram or otherwise] each week on a given subject.  This week was books.  The Great Gatsby is soon to be released on the big screen.  I decided to re-read this classic.  It is even better than I remembered.  Funny how 20 years of life experience changes a book for a reader.
Next week:  in your closet.  {If you want to play along.}

Take time for yourself this weekend.  Watch a classic movie you have never seen before, take a walk [rain or shine] or wander around the world wide web.  Here are a few links to start with....

SHOP::
Take a peek at the darling dresses from the line Kate Young for Target.  {Launching 4.14}
The greatest iPhone covers I have ever seen!

DIY::
An avocado seed + gold spray paint= a clever place card {or photo} holder
Create amazing, romantic pictures with a sandwich bag

READ::
Re-read a classic.  The Great Gatsby or The Sun Also Rises.
An unexpected coming of age story.  Tell the Wolves I'm Home.

HOME::
A great storage idea for your accessories.
New bed linens could be the secret to a good night's sleep.

JUST FOR FUN::
Mini treat boxes.  Perfect for a truffle, a caramel, or a few jelly beans.


AND a post you may have missed:
lessons from hot yoga  [my lessons learned in a very hot room.]

 

fondue fun

We totally splurged on Easter dessert.  I guess we felt like we hadn't got our quota of chocolate eggs, so we had chocolate fondue after dinner.  Using this recipe, the chocolate was ready in a matter of minutes.  We kept it warm in a circa 1970 fondue pot [complete with Sterno cooking fuel] that my mother-in-law brought over. 

Long forks in hand.....we dove in!   Our dipping choices were pound cake, bananas, marshmallows, mini Reese's peanut butter cups, and strawberries. 

There were even a few left over chocolate chip cookies that found their way into the chocolate.

Our family brainstormed a few ideas for next time:

• pineapple
• mini snickers
• rice crispy treats
• grapes
• pretzel sticks
• cookie dough balls[made without eggs]

While fondue is not a dessert you do would do every day, for special occasions it doesn't get much better. 

 This fondue pot is so retro fabulous!  I absolutely love it.  Guess what?  [Lucky, lucky me.  I got to keep it.] 

mom uniform:: camo fun

mom uniform:: camo fun by juneheartsfashion 

  

Spring in Seattle is not warm.  However, it is time to ditch the puffy jacket and tall boots.   Why not have a little fun while you are at it?  

I will admit.  This girl is a total sucker for camouflage.  Lately I have been wearing: skinny jeans, a feminine top, and a camo jacket, light colored booties, and a fun colorful clutch.  

How would you fit camouflage into your spring wardrobe?

{Need another mom uniform?  Try this or this.} 

 

mom says no.

Little Man got a new pair of kicks last week.  I think they are pretty cool.  He is not as pleased as I am.  Why not, you ask?  They don't light up.

He is desperate for shoes that light up when he walks.  The Stride Rite: Star Wars Captain Rex 2.0 would be his first choice.  The answer is, and always has been, no.  I am not sure when [or why] I decided no on light up shoes, but there is no caving on this one. 

Now that he is six, I thought the fascination would have diminished and he would be more interested in shoes that make him run faster, jump higher, or look cooler.  Nope.  He is not giving up on the dream, so the battle will continue in shoe department.  However, this round goes to me.

When it comes to your kids' clothes, what is one thing will most likely never say yes to?
[Because when it comes to kids- I have learned to never say never.]

opening day

Tonight is the home opener for the Seattle Mainers.  Both of my boys were lucky enough to be at home openers for their very first big league game.  I remember how excited we were to take each of them!  The games were not warm and it even snowed during Little Man's first game.  [Thank goodness for the rolling roof.] But we bundled up, packed the diaper bag, and bravely went to watch the M's. 

[Big W. '05]

 

 [Little Man. '07]

Outings, such as a ballgame, with wee ones was never easy.  [As you might have noticed Little Man was tiny and that is a bottle of breast milk I brought along with us.]  But now I can happily share with them the pictures and tell them the story of their first game.  

This coming Saturday they will both be suiting up for their first Little League games of the season.  From babies to little men....and we are along for the ride!  How lucky are we?

[team thomas.]

invest your love

{image via}

invest wisely. 

I am spending a whole week with my boys.  No school, no homework, and no schedule.  [Unfortunately no beach, but we will make the best of it!]  It is wonderful change of pace for all us!  Spring Break for life.

volunteer park cafe

I had lunch [again] last week at Volunteer Park Cafe.  Nestled in a residential Seattle neighborhood, it is a lovely spot for a meal. The food is fresh and delicious.  The incredibly friendly staff make you feel right at home.  However, what I truly love is their attention to the little things.  

{galvanized buckets with stacks of fresh baked goods}

{gumballs near the register}

{fresh flowers arranged on the long community table}

{garden herbs planted in sidewalk boxes}

The little thing are what make you linger after your meal and keep you coming back time and again.