HAPPY SATURDAY

In this house we wear dishcloths for capes and love our pups! Happy Saturday!

TARGET BUYS - THREE OUTFITS UNDER $80

Fashion.... HA! The last thing I claim to be is fashion forward, so this isn't exactly something I typically hit on. What has inspired me to make this unusual post?  My Saturday morning routine, of course!

SATURDAY MORNING ROUTINE:

6AM - wake up, make coffee, read my blogs, and pin (this is what I consider 'ME" time)

8-9AM - Body Combat with Jodie (aka: my beautiful, blonde, Kirsten Dunst look-alike bestie) 

9-10AM - Starbucks and bumming around Target!!!

Jodie and I figure we always need something at Target. Whether it's mascara, toilet paper, or a greeting card, there is always something. It just so happens we also need things like giant bags of frosted animal crackers (my weakness), another pair of flip flops, nail polish and, of course, some trinket in the $1 bin at the front of the store. :) I mean who doesn't need coasters that look like burger condiments?!  

Below are a few of my recent Target clothing purchases. I am not the girl who can fill her closet with Anthropolie and J.Crew. I am the girl who shops the clearance section at Target and loves to dig through the racks at Marshalls and TJ Maxx. I know everyone is different, but why spend money on expensive clothes when that money can buy you things like plane tickets?

- 3 outfits all under $80 - 

 TOP | SKIRT | SANDALES | NECKLACE

TOP | JEANS | EARRINGS | SHOES (no longer for sale)

TANK | SCARF | PANTS | SANDALS | BRACELET

Side Note: American Eagle Jeggings are my favorite!
They are stretchy, flattering, fair priced AND they come in short.

HUMMUS, AVOCADO, & SPROUT SANDWICH

I am always looking for good, good for you and simple recipes. Here is one I made up for lunch this past weekend and it was a hit!

Whole wheat bread
Hummus (I make my own, but store bought is fine too)
Sprouts (such as alfalfa, radish, broccoli, or a combination)

Avocado (or cucumbers or both)

I served these as open top sandwiches.

- Toast the bread

- Spread on the the hummus

- Top with sprouts and Avocado (or cucumber or both)
ENJOY!

 

You can use any kind of sprout, but I used Broccoli sprouts grown right next door in Minnesota! 

I found these at woodman in the organic section on the produce section.

Ellis' lunch - I am not sure why it took me so long to realize that I can pretty much feed Ellis the same thing we are eating. When Ellis first started eating finger foods I thought I had to pre-make all kinds of "baby approved" foods for her, but then I realized she can eat pretty much exactly what we are eating, just cut up in small pieces. I know, I know... it isn't rocket science, but for some reason it took me a while to grasp this concept. :) 

ELLIS - 14 MONTHS

Oh Ellis! You are the most amazing little girl and your father and I love you to the moon and back. When I was pregnant with you and would try and imagine what your personality would be like and now that you are here and starting to grow into this fearless, sweet little girl, I couldn't image you any other way. When we bring you to the store you say "HI!" to everyone who passes and scream at the top of your lungs... just for fun. Even though I shhhhhush you, I secretly smile b/c I know you are going to be such a social and outgoing little lady and I love that. You give lots of kisses, even to our two dogs, Oliver and Emma. You are now walking like a pro, say ALL KINDS of words and have been to your first swim lesson. YOU. LOVE. YOUR. COUSINS. When I see you with them it makes my heart smile. I love that you will grow up so close to them and they will be your best friends.

When I look at you I remember how lucky I am to be your mama.
XOX
- K

RECENT MOMENTS IN LIFE - SUMMER SOLSTICE ROOFTOP YOGA

Last Friday marked the first day of summer, so Ashmita, Jodie and I celebrated with a little summer solstice rooftop yoga, followed by wine and Naples 15 pizza.
A few takeaways....

1. If I lived downtown, I would totally hit up 6am summer rooftop yoga. It is right up there with coffee on ways to start your day.

2. Jodie and I are cheap dates. Two glasses of wine is all it takes.

3. Naples 15 Pizza is super yummy. It is right up there with Pizza Brutta and GreenBush Bar. 

4. Girls nights out are the best.

HEALTHY HOMEMADE GRANOLA BARS

Why make your own granola bars vs. buying them in the store? Because you can actually pronounce all of the ingredients in these and they are not full of preservatives. Better yet, these granola bars are, for the most part, healthy for you! They use whole grains and natural sweeteners. 

I have been trying for months to make the perfect homemade granola bar. I have tried different recipes, different ingredients, different combinations and amounts of ingredients and now, I think I have it... the perfect homemade chewy granola bar!  Enjoy! 

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/4 ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup honey

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup canola oil

1/4 coconut oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Add ins: ANYTHING you want - chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, nuts, etc. (I used dark chocolate morsels for these) 

- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, flaxseed and salt. 

- In a smaller bowl combine the honey, egg, canola oil, coconut oil and vanilla. 
- Mix wet and dry mixtures together well using your hands. 

- Pat the mixture evenly into a pan. I use the pampered chef stoneware medium bar pan.

- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. 

- Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.

Lay the cut bars (not touching) on a wax paper lined baking sheet in the freezer for at least 20 minutes. Once they are frozen, throw them together in a tupperware container or ziplock bag in the freezer. Let thaw before eating or throw them in the microwave for a few seconds.

RECENT MOMENTS IN LIFE - DINNER WITH N&P

Last week Nora Pat invited us over to their house to a DELICIOUS dinner that consisted of salad, beer can chicken pasta with homemade noodles and THE BEST EVER strawberry shakes made with homemade ice cream and farmers' market berries.  Pat just amazes me.  He cooks for a living and on his days off he makes amazing meals at home. He has such love what he does and I love that about him. 

I have been making an effort to use my camera more so I, hopefully, get better at using it. They were my models for the night.

(oh, and Logan and I "iced" Pat with a Mike's Hard Lemonade TWICE. When Logan tried it with whiskey, Pat was a bit more excited. ;)