Baja Beach Blankets

These Baja Beach blankets are an essential for Spring and Summer!

They wash amazing and are way more adorable then your average picnic blanket.  Perfect for Soccer games, indoor decor use, picnics, Bonfires, the Park,  the Beach... you name it!  Please email me with color choice and quantity, and a paypal invoice will be sent.  All blankets are just $25!!  Local Pickup or $8 flat shipping rate.  Thanks!!

**Blankets are 52" x 72"**

Email: brittanyh@gmail.com

Baby Pink and Purple Baja Blanket - $25
** 1 available **

Sage Green with Grey Fringe Baja Blanket - $25
** SOLD OUT**

Baby Pink Baja Blanket - $25
** 3 available **

Baby Blue and Grey Baja Blanket - $25
**SOLD OUT**

Coral Baja Blanket - $25
** SOLD OUT **

Multi Grey Baja Blanket - $25
** 4 available **

Electric Blue and Grey Baja Blanket - $25
**SOLD OUT

Baby Blue Baja Blanket - $25
** 3 available **

Turquoise Baja Blanket - $25
** SOLD OUT **

Hot Pink and Grey Baja Blanket - $25
**SOLD OUT **

Multi Lavender Baja Blanket - $25
** SOLD OUT**

Sage Green Baja Blanket - $25
** 1 available ** 

Lavender and White Baja Blanket - $25
** 1 available **

Banana, Sweet Potato, & Flax Muffins (with Chocolate Chips)

Banana, Sweet Potato, & Flax Muffins 


I have talked about my picky eaters before, and still nothing has changed. Ha.  The ONLY way I can get my youngest to even touch veggies, is if I sneak them in to muffins.  Seriously, the kid won't even drink a smoothie.  Annoying, I know.  So, here is yet another great recipe that is fast, delicious, and a pleaser with your picky eaters! Bonus; I know with these muffins, he will at least eat 3 all before lunch, which means he is getting in his daily Veggie, Flax, and Fruit before noon....Yes please! 

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup flour (1 cup flour, 3/4 cup whole wheat flour)


3/4 cup sugar


1 tsp baking powder


1 tsp baking soda


1/2 tsp salt


1 egg


1/2 cup oil


1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 


1 tsp Vanilla extract

1 cup mashed ripe bananas 

1/4 cup ground Flax

2.5 oz carrot puree

2.5 oz Sweet potato puree

3/4 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips (make sure they are mini chips)

Directions


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, flax, and salt.  In a mixer, combine the egg, oil, yogurt, and vanilla. Blend on low and then gradually add the dry ingredients and mix well.  Fold in the bananas, sweet potato, and carrot puree. Then slowly add the chocolate chips and blend until incorporated on low.  Fill greased or lined muffin pans about two-thirds full.  Bake for 15-20minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan onto wire racks to cool.

Toasted Orzo Chicken Soup

I love soup!  There is something so easy and comforting when soup is on the menu for dinner.  It warms the belly and the soul.

This recipe is one of those great year round soups, because it is toasty and warm for Winter, but uses great vegetables you can find in your garden during the Summer. Enjoy!

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Toasted orzo chicken soup ingredients

• 1 32 ounce container  (4 cups) chicken stock

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast pieces or tenders

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 3/4 cup orzo pasta

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)

• 1 small zucchini, finely chopped

• 1 carrot, finely chopped

• 1/2 small red bell pepper, finely chopped

• 2 shallots or 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• Salt and pepper

• 1 ounce peas

• 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

directions

1. In a medium pot, bring the chicken stock and chicken to a simmer. Lower the heat and poach the chicken for 12 minutes.
2. Heat a dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the butter to melt. Add the orzo and cook, stirring, until deeply toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
3. Add the EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, to the dutch oven. Add the zucchini, carrot, bell pepper, shallots and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 7 to 8 minutes. Return the orzo to the pot.
4. Remove the chicken from the stock. Skim and discard the fat from the stock; transfer the stock to the dutch oven. Chop, dice or shred the chicken and add to the soup with 2 cups water. Bring the soup to a boil and cook until the orzo is just tender, 5 minutes. Add the peas during the last minute of cooking. Turn off the heat; stir in the parsley and lemon peel. Serve immediately.

In the BARE: Escentuals

When I first started using Bare Escentuals Original Flawless Face Coverage Foundation 6 years ago, I had no idea that I would become mildly dependent on it.  Seriously, the most amazing foundation ever. I hate the feel of makeup on my face, so this has been a lifesaver for me over the years.

Needless to say, as the Makeup line became an empire over the last decade, I have dabbled in most of their products.  Today, so many of those products are now a must in my makeup bag at all times and also my daily go to's!

Here are my top picks.   XoX

#1.  All over Face color in Pure Radiance. It is a golden peach sheen and adds just enough shimmer to liven my face up.

 #2. Original Flawless face foundation in medium beige. I stock pile this stuff, for reals.

#3. 24/7 waterproof eyeliner in Midnight.  I finally found the perfect eyeliner. This is it!  It stays put, glides on like a dream, and when you do a dramatic cat eye like I do everyday...this is a necessity!

**P.S. I add liquid liner over top sometimes for an all day full proof cat eye, when I know I don't have time for touch up.  Just a little FYI for you.  I Learned that tip from a makeup artist years ago while working at Victoria's Secret Beauty.

 #4.  Definition and Curl Mascara in Black.  Does two jobs in one. Doesn't flake and still looks natural.  This is amazing and the brush is that perfect size to really get every lash coated.

 #5. My everyday eye color for the past 2 years: Sex Kitten shadow. This stuff is a golden Mahogany and makes any eye color pop.  Very pigmented and lasts all day long! Yes please.

 #6. I am a gloss girl, not lipstick. I do dark eyes, so I always keep my lips nude. This is an amazing gloss that does the trick: Moxie gloss in Trail blazer. It is a nude gold and looks so pretty on!

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Zucchini Banana Flax Muffins

Zucchini Banana Flax Muffins.  Say that five times fast...A lot of words for one little muffin.  Seriously though, these muffins pack a punch.

I have very picky eaters, as in one child literally doesn't like anything but Chicken Nuggets and Burritos (not kidding).  However, there is a silver lining to his lack of cravings and un-mature palate.  He LOVES muffins and will eat ANY muffin.  So, I make them A LOT and I sneak good stuff in them so he gets some nutrition on a daily basis.  One of my favorite go to recipes is from good ol' Martha Stewart (or at least her food editors).  Here is the recipe! Enjoy. XoX

Zucchini, Banana Flax Muffins:


Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) ** I used 1 cup all-purpouse and 3/4 cup whole wheat **
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 cup lightly packed light-brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated zucchini (from 1 large zucchini)
1/3 cup mashed ripe banana (from 1 large banana) ** I used 2 bananas **
3/4 cup whole milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup of mini Chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat 12 standard muffin cups with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, flaxseed, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add zucchini and banana and stir to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla. Add milk mixture to flour mixture and stir until combined (do not overmix).

Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let muffins cool completely in pan on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.

Cook's Note

Fresh zucchini and ripe banana add moisture to these muffins, ensuring they are soft and tender but low in fat.

Little Sunburst

My latest find thrifting...My little sunburst mirror.  She was a burnished bronze color before, but I think she looks so much prettier Gold.

Really, doesn't everything look better Gold?!  To be honest, I am totally obsessed with Gold spray paint at the moment...which might have been the driving factor in the color choice that I painted her :)
Oh, and she was all of $10.  Score!

P.S.  My other latest find (not thrifting)...that Crewel Geo Hot Pink Prism Pillow on my bed.  I love the pop of color and mixing of prints against my more feminine Turquoise pillows. It makes me happy.

Happy Tuesday dolls. XoX

Happy Love Day

Peace & Love. XoX

If it was...

If it was socially acceptable to wear the same thing everyday, then this Summer I would wear this dress...everyday.

I love it. I want it.

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Will You Be My Valentine?

For Captain Crazy's class this year, I was trying to come up with cute ideas for Valentine's to hand out, instead of the usual "Disney, Transformers, etc...." cards.

I came across these ideas that are so simple and cute, and my son can help make them which is always better then just going to Target to buy them :)

One of my Favorites. How cute and easy to make!

The majority of my sons class is boys, so this might be a cute option.

I really love this...I would tweak it a bit and use pretty, whimsical paper for the hand and possibly stencil lettering.

I am sure this would be a hit with the kids. It's fun and not "too cutesy" for the boys in the class.

I love a great Watercolor project...this is just so simple and sweet! Any kid would love to paint these and hand these out to his friends.  I think adding Swedish fish as the treat would be cute.  

I love this. It is just a handmade Lollipop Cover.

P.S. I had to share this, because as I was "pinning" Valentines ideas...this popped up and I had to post it.  HOW FREAKING CUTE!  I am definitely going to make this for my husband.  I love it.

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Hitting the pavement

So I have been literally "hitting the pavement" again.  As in, lacing up my running shoes and getting back in the workout zone.  It's February, which means I have about 3 months till full on swimsuit season!  Besides the whole goal of tightening up, I also feel SOOO much better all around when I am doing a good 4 days/week workout routine. I sleep better, eat better, feel great...seriously, working out and a good nights sleep is the best medicine!

So, I am definelty NOT a gym person...I hate the gym. I have to workout outside, in the fresh air, with an open road ahead of me.   Anyhoo, even though I go running alone, I still like to wear cute workout clothes.   I was browsing online for some new gear earlier today, and I stumbled upon these at Nordstrom.  Who says you can't look great while getting a sweat on?! Bring it!

I love wearing shorts when I run, and these are perfect with the wide waist band.

Loving both of these!  Perfect for those early morning or late night runs with the long sleeves.

Great sweats.

I love that this is mesh.  Breatheable and light.

Again, great running shorts.

My favorite go to running tank. I love wearing running tanks that have a built in sports bra!
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Oh, and for the record...the photo below was my inspirtation (thanks a lot Pinterest).   I mean seriously....a girl can dream to look that good, and be that tan. Sheesh!

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DIY Art

This weekend I decided that I wanted to make some art for a naked wall in my living room.  So, on Saturday morning, I got to painting.

This project took me all of an hour and I had everything already on hand.  I am totally happy with how it turned out!  Seriously, who doesn't just love an easy DIY projects that takes all of an afternoon and is made with stuff already in your cabinets?!  Oh, and it made a big impact in the room...which was my goal to begin with.  Brilliant!

I large piece of wood painted White.  Mine is about 40" x 30".

Chevron stripes in Grey, Black, and Gold. 

Simply paint and tape.  I used Acrylic paint that I already had at home.

Drill these into the back of the wood and then hang it up.

Another piece of DIY word art that is in my Family room can be found {here}. Since this picture was taken, I have indeed changed around my family room...(it doesn't stay the same for long). I have issues.  Anyhoo,  Happy Monday everyone! Xo

BonaDrag

New Obsession: the online boutique Bonadrag.  Amazing clothing, accessories, shoes, styling...you get the idea.  But what I am really drooling over is their stellar swimwear collection.  Honestly, I wish I could afford to buy all of them...until then, I will just dream of wearing these little lovelies while soaking in the sun.

My top three favs:

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Have a gorgeous weekend!!  XoX

Salt Air Print

My mom is a total hippie at heart.  She is barefoot (80% of the time) and spends every extra waking moment outside...in the sun, planting away in her garden or just reading amongst mother nature.   She is in a word: Earthy.  {I love it}.

Anyhoo, I found the perfect gift for her for Mother's day this May!  Below, the print I am totally in love with....

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How amazing is this?!  My mom spent every Summer at the beach and has passed that tradition on to her children.  She always says "salt air is therapeutic" and "sand between the toes is good for the soul".  When I saw this print at {this etsy shop}, it totally screamed MOM.  I may just have to get one for myself also, because honestly I am a little obsessed with it.  This artist is amazing and she hand paints all of her art. I really need one in my life. Another one of my favorites...

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Thank you mom for passing on your earthy vibe and your lust for life.  Happy Thursday lovelies. Xo