Where is June?

find [some fun] this weekend

April 19th, 2013

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

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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

Tags: photo challenge
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radiator whiskey

April 17th, 2013

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.}

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Tags: all things seattle, the little things
Posted in Local Gems, Seattle-Eat | No Comments »

beauty sketches

April 17th, 2013

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

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Posted in In the Details, Uncategorized | No Comments »

pancake muffins

April 16th, 2013

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.]

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Posted in in the kitchen, so sweet | No Comments »

a nutcase

April 15th, 2013

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!

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Posted in Life with Boys | No Comments »

in the kitchen-a weekly plan

April 13th, 2013

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}

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Tags: a weekly plan
Posted in a weekly plan, in the kitchen | 2 Comments »

find [a classic] this weekend.

April 12th, 2013

photo challenge: 1.0/ books. {instagram}

I have given myself a photo challenge. Take a photo 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.]

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Posted in In the Details, Uncategorized | No Comments »

fondue fun

April 11th, 2013

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.]

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Posted in in the kitchen, so sweet | No Comments »

mom uniform:: camo fun

April 10th, 2013

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.}