Bright and Cheery

Dreaming of warm weather over here! Really i should not even say this because winter has been good to us, but these short days are giving me some winter blues. I feel a serious need for the sun to stay out until about 9 at night. That won't be happening for quite awhile though. I see a good spray tan in my near future and maybe taking the girls to the pool one day this week. Sunny days will come eventually and until then I am just going to be doing all i can to stay bright and cheery over here. You'll know I've gone too far if i post a bikini pic anytime soon. 

Do any of you suffer from winter blues? What keeps you going when you start feeling the lack of vitamin D in your life? https://www.etsy.com/listing/199885069/inspirational-print-typography-poster?ref=shop_home_active_13&crlt.pid=camp.cLcM5p9STAuv

A Freshly Picked Review

If you follow regularly then you already know my love for moccasins. Have you seen my insta? If not go follow it. If yes, then your probably quite annoyed by all my hashtagging which usually includes #freshlypicked Why? Because these are truly the most amazing baby/toddler shoes ever! 

When i first had Leighton she was a shoeless infant for wayyy too long. Baby shoes were all way too fat for her feet and fell off constantly. I remember when she was about 4 months old going to a friends graduation and her mother asking where her shoes were. Seriously? I was a little embarrassed and i didn't want to spend a minimum of $20 on something that would probably get lost. When Leighton was close to the 1 year mark we finally started investing in her little feet. We bought Toms like crazy and loved them because they were comfy, and for some reason fit her foot pretty well. So lots and lots of money into Toms later we discovered Freshly Picked. 

(lets take a moment to reminisce on little Leighton, she has grown out of both these outfits already.)

I was an insta follower prior to Shark Tank (they were on the show) and wasn't sure i could spend the money. We happened upon a trunk show in Costa Mesa and I couldn't pass it up. Over an hour of waiting, and i excitedly got to meet Susan and her team and snatch up a sweet pair of blush pink moccs. That was almost a year ago and guess what? Leighton is still wearing those same moccs. That was the best $45 dollars i have ever spent on her adorable little feet. (usually $60) She has worn them everywhere. Out to play, to the park, to disneyland. Leighton now has 2 pairs steal and blush and 9 out of 10 times when i ask her to put her shoes on she grabs a pair of moccs. 

The obsession doesn't end there though, my sweet Emersyn has the tiniest feet ever so clearly i had a bit of a shoe problem with her too. Luckily i knew exactly what to spend my money on this time. Em has worn the same 3 pairs of moccs for the past year as well. 

When i hosted a giveaway for Freshly Picked a couple months ago Em received this beautiful pair of Oui Oui moccs to review. Seriously! Look at these things. Gold and sparkly and perfect. They seem to be a little thinner than the metallic leather and suede moccs but they are holding up great still. I keep these as Sunday moccs or for nicer outings and her older moccs for all the days in between. 

Besides these little shoes being adorable and lasting forever what else do i love about them? They fit my girls feet, even when a little too big. (Great for fast growers.) They never fall off. We have never ever lost a mocc and i can not say that about other shoes. I don't have to worry about pairing socks with them, lacing them up, or pushing their feet in. They slip right on and tighten around the ankle with elastic. And they clean sooo easily, seriously i just use a baby wipe and wipe them off and voila they are all shiny again.

Are you sold yet? Probably should be. Check them out.

Freshly Picked

or here

Nordstrom

L & EM- Week 3

The girls and I went on a quick trip to Salt Lake this weekend to visit friends and family. We went with  my mom and sister Hannah. When we first got on the road Leighton could't quit asking if we were going on an adventure. She was so excited and for some reason figured if we were with Grandma, of course that meant we were on our way to open presents. The old Christmas tree still up in our hotel lobby only furthered her belief that there must be presents near by. Well two nights in a hotel with out presents mean she was over it pretty quickly and tried everything she could to  escape. Of course Emersyn stood right by her side and cheered her on. It is kinda of scary how close my two year old came to breaking out of the hotel room. Sometimes i really do think she is way to smart for her own good. The entire trip went really well. We all loved spending time together and the girls were so fun. Both of them were full of energy but that just meant extra smile all around. Both girls were also pretty perfect in the car. I couldn't believe it, neither of them cried, just played and slept.

These girls are so special. I love our days together. Leighton and Emersyn have been playing so well and i love watching them. What a blessing it is to stay home with them everyday. Sometimes i feel bored or question why it is so important, but it really is. Last week i asked Kaden how he felt about me staying home. Sometimes i feel like i am not doing enough and he said, "Don't you feel like staying home is the best way to raise the girls, i feel like it is the best thing you could be doing." I don't know why that surprised me but I guess the reassuring words are exactly what i needed.

A Yummy Snack

If you don't already know, i grew up in Southern California. We loved visiting local beaches and still go back to the same ones every year. One of my favorite wandering places was always Balboa Island. My mom would take us across the ferry and to the little island, where we would wander around looking through shops and eat frozen chocolate covered bananas. There are few snacks that sound as good to me as that one does. So here is my version.

Because i wanted this snack to have more purpose than fulfilling my need for nostalgic moments, I added some peanut butter, and used only organic ingredients. 

This is sooo simple it is almost stupid. Be aware it is a little messy though. 

What you need

- sliced up bananas 

- equal parts, dark chocolate chips and peanut butter

- microwave safe bowl

- freezer paper

- forks

Start melting the chocolate chips. I microwave them for 30 seconds at a time and stir them in between. When they begin to melt i add the peanut butter and continue until it is liquid like. 

I usually slice the bananas while melting the chocolate. 

Once the chocolate mixture is melted dip bananas into the mixture. This is done by placing the bananas on a fork and dipping them into the mix. The fork works as a strainer to allow extra chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Then place covered bananas onto the freezer paper. Once all bananas are covered place them in the freezer until frozen. 

 Sorry i don't have a final picture. We ate them before i remembered to take one. 

Keep Moving

What a day to be celebrated. I honestly had forgotten that today was a holiday. It happens when you work for yourself and are no longer in school. But really, when i remembered i had to reflect. What a man Martin Luther King was. He stood up for what he believed in and never backed down. Change came and who knows how quickly that would have happened with out him. Clearly he was meant for his time and called of God to do what he did. It is no wonder he is honored with a day of his own.

Dressing for A New Year

Dressing up is so much fun, but it rarely happens for me. If i am being honest, i have a closet full of beautiful things and i am almost always in a tee and yoga pants. Yes i am that girl. The white girl with two girls in tow and a starbucks cup in hand. It happens. On the off chance i am wearing real clothes though, i am dressed well and i feel great for it. Sooo with this new year i want to blog more about what i wear, how to dress, and why. Here it goes. 2015's first fashion like post. Dressing for The New Year. 

top- gap, necklace- banana republic, shoes- banana republic

This look is perfect for a day you don't feel like getting too fancy. It would be so comfy paired with a nice pair of denim or sparkly leggings. The blouse has wide sleeves which are surprisingly very flattering. The necklace adds a little sparkle and these adorable pumps have just enough texture to them.  Perfect for a dressy beginner or date night out. 

L & EM- Week 2

These girls are crazy. This week Leighton said to me "mom carry me down stairs, my legs broken" Then one night while cuddling with her I asked "Leighton do you love me?" She replied "I think so, your nice." I'm glad to know she thinks i am nice, especially since this morning I hear her tell Emersyn, "run dister, mom's gonna hit you" I about fell aver when i heard her say that. I do not hit my children. At least not very often. 

Emersyn has been funnier than ever. Leighton taught her how to go down the stairs over the weekend. She loves taking care of her sister. Leighton says "follow me dister, like this, like a baby." Emersyn just laughs and does exactly what she does. Emersyn loves sitting on little things. She is so tiny so anything doll sized is perfect for her. Little chairs, strollers, the bottom of the book shelf. Her tiny squatty body kills. 

Small Space, Big Statement- Entry Way

We bought our home a little over 4 years ago now. We planned on living in it for 2-3 years tops. Well two children later we are still here and it feels smaller than ever. This year we are working on re-doing our space while we dream of finding a new one. My goal is to make every room feel comfortable, lived in, beautiful and bigger. 

To start off my adventure, I'm starting with the entry way. Here are my two ideas, similar but both have a completely different feel to them… and price tag. 

Every small space needs creative storage pieces to keep it tidy and organized. I have yet to find a bench with hidden storage that i like so a cute basket will have to do. 

I also love the idea of a mirror, easy to check your face when entering and leaving and the reflection itself makes the space feel greater than it really is. That's a win win.

All of the save items can be found at Target. While the splurge are all from West Elm. 

Which entry way items would you prefer? Do you have another pieces you feel are necessary for this part of your home. 

Are you a new reader? If so, WELCOME! So glad you found my little blog. Look around, comment and click the follow button over on the right side of the page. I'd love to get to know you! I truly love all of my readers. Thanks for stopping by. XOXO

Live in The Present

I have had this stuck in my head for awhile now. "Look towards the future, don't dwell in the past, live in the present." It is one of the key phrases for the type of life i am trying to live. So often i have find myself dwelling on things that have turned out in ways i wish they hadn't or what i don't have and what i hope for. That is no way to live a meaningful, happy life. No good can come from constantly reminding yourself of mistakes or wishing things were better than they were. Life is great just how it is, if not, change it. 

I am trying to stay present. I want to soak up each moment. Turn them into opportunities and see the beauty in every day. 

I'll tell the amazing ways this is changing my life in later posts. 

Until then. Happy Monday!

L & EM- Week 1

I saw a post like this on another blog and fell in love. I share pictures constantly on instagram but it is rare to have pictures of the girls together. This year i am going to post a photo of them each week and a little bit about what they have been up to. Wouldn't that make a super cute book?

Leighton has been fighting a bad cold and Emersyn has a mouth full of teeth that are trying to come in. Needless to say both runny nosed girls may be playing together better than ever. When they are confined to the house they still figure out how to be active. Leighton enjoys pushing her doll sized 14 month old sister in the little stroller she got for Christmas and Em enjoys dressing up exactly like Leighton does. 

To The New Year

This year my word is… Live. I have tried to come up with a word that describes what i want to accomplish. Live is it. 2014 was not my most graceful year. A lot of it i straight up don't remember or want to remember. The rest was pretty great but still a struggle.  I want so much for 2015 to be magical and amazing and the best way for that to happen is to live it up.

I feel like nothing extra special has to happen for this to be a great year. I am not trying to diet, trying to get pregnant, aiming to travel the world, finishing school or anything else that would be big or super note worthy. A simple year is just as special and needed for all of us. I am going to live for the simple and special and everyday.

Whats your word or resolutions this year? Do you have anything you'd like to work for or change? I'd love to hear it. 

A White Christmas

Cedar City has been pretty dry and warm this winter. Since our first winter here, 5 years ago, i have never seen such little snow. It really seemed so strange that the ground wasn't white leading up to Christmas. When we woke up Christmas morning that was not the case though. Leighton looked out our bedroom window and said "It's a Christmas miracle!" It really kind of was. 

After opening presents and talking to my sister Leighton excitedly asked if she could play outside. Even though it really was freezing we thought it would be fun. The day was so low key and nice, why not throw some snow around. Our poor girls look like the boy off the Christmas Story once they are all bundled up, but apparently they are warm.  Emersyn didn't last too long but Leighton stayed out back for almost an hour. 

Little em isn't sure how she feels about the cold white stuff yet. If she is anything like her sister though, she will love it soon enough. 

Saturday we celebrated Christmas with the Leavitt side of the family and it was perfect weather for playing outside. The wind wasn't blowing so it honestly almost felt warm in the sun. We hooked up the sleds to Penn's four wheeler and dragged the girls around the yard. Their yard is perfect for sledding.

Snow or not, all of our holiday celebrations were amazing! Really we loved spending so much time with our families and the girls were so much fun. Kaden got to have several days off of work and that is always a treat. I felt so blessed to have such a beautiful Christmas and to have so many special people in our lives.

A Bright Light for Christmas

This year has been crazy in so many ways. When i look back at it i honestly can't believe it is almost over and that so much fit into one year. I feel like emotionally and mentally this has been my biggest growing year. I spent most of my time wallowing in my thoughts and struggling with ppd, not understanding how big my problem really was or that i could find help for it. I started seeking help about two months ago and honestly the peace it has brought to my life already seems unreal. 

The Christmas season has always been special to me. My love language is gift giving for sure. Is that a love language? I love receiving and giving the same. Partly because shopping could be my love language too but i truly enjoy gifting or serving or seeing someone light up because of something i gave or did. So much of Christmas is about that. This year though i have realized an even deeper reason for my love of the holiday.

As i have been working on finding myself and learning how to recognize what is truly me and what is just a thought, one thing has been very evident. So much of who i am is my family. I define myself by them. Mainly my husband and my daughters but my parents and sisters as well. I am nothing if not for my family so really family is my everything. Christmas has always been the one holiday that we are all together for, that we get along on, and try our best to show each other how much we care.

Now that Leighton is old enough to understand Christmas i have made a huge effort to start traditions with her and teach her about the true meaning of the holiday. While teaching Leighton about our savior and his birth i have thought a lot about his mother. I know so little about Mary but i wonder if we all know more than we realize. Sometimes i look at Emersyn and think she is as close to the perfect baby as it gets. Did Christ cry less than her? Did he cuddle his mother more? Did Mary never have to leave the market mortified because of something her two year old did? 

Thoughts like that make me giggle but really even if Mary's son did something he wasn't supposed to, Mary probably was patient and understanding and a great teacher. I have tried so hard to be that way lately. Honestly the peace I have felt between Leighton, Emersyn and me has been extraordinary. There is something so special between us and I am so grateful for this season and the bright light is has brought back into my life.

Kid Proof Sugar Cookies

Last year Leighton and I made christmas cookies together for the first time and i told myself that i wanted to make it a tradition to keep every Christmas. So Saturday we made sugar cookies.

 This girl just keeps becoming more of a handful everyday and doing things that are creative also stress me out because they are messy. So when i found this amazing recipe that seriously the closest thing to mess free as it gets. I call it the kid proof sugar cookie. 

If you read up on the recipe from its original blog, then you'll read all these amazing things about it. 

No chilling, Mixes in minutes, No floury craziness all over the counters, 

Rolls out easy and Bakes quickly.

 What you'll need. 

- 1 cup softened butter

-1 cup granulated sugar

- 1 large egg

-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-1 teaspoon almond extract

- 2 teaspoons baking powder

-3 cups of flour

Directions.

-pre heat oven to 350

-Cream butter and sugar in large bowl.

I do this in my kitchen aid on a level 4 for about 3 minutes.

- once creamed, leave the mixer on and add egg, vanilla and almond extracts.

allow ingredients to mix well.

- in a separate bowl sift flower and baking powder together. 

- add flower mixture to wet ingredients slowly. 

I do this while my kitchen aid is running at a 4 as well. Near the end i turn it to a two.

Allow the dough to mix into one large ball. (If your dough is very dry kneed it with wet hands until combined.)

lightly grease and flour cookie sheet.

There is no need to chill the dough, take out workable portions and roll or flatten with hands on a dry/ clean surface. My counter tops worked perfectly. We used large cookie cutters and made our dough just over 1/4 in. thick.

Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes.

Cool on sheet for 1-2 minutes and then transfer to cooling rack.

****We live at 6,000 ft. I put our oven at 360 and baked for 11-12 minutes.

I will never use another sugar cookie recipe again. These are so simple, delicious, the clean up was perfect. We made 3 batches, each batch made about 16-18 large cookies. 

Now we have another gift for all of our neighbors and Leighton will have cookies to eat all week long.

The Neighbor Gift

 Neighbor Gifting- The act of giving your neighbors or friends a small gift to let them know you are thinking about them during the Holidays.

I kid you not, I have been thinking about what to gift this year since about August. This is when my canning obsession began. Really, i was obsessed. I canned about 20 jars of this amazing, delicious, and crazy simply/ healthy freezer jam. I know freezer jam isn't really canning but i did can lots of syrup, peach curd, apple butter and apple sauce.

I love to get crafty or give homemade gifts but they usually turn out looking like a 5 year old created them or costing me more in time and money than seems worthwhile. This year i was genius though, hence the 5 months of planning.

Almost every neighbor gift, teacher gift, or friend gift will have started out from our garden. Our raspberry bush supplied us with a bowl a day until October and they were the best raspberries ever. Our  herbs grew great as well and we didn't have to start drying them till pretty late in the season too. 

So here is the easiest raspberry chia seed freezer jam recipe. 

2 cups raspberries

2 tablespoons orange blossom honey

1/4 cup chia seeds

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all the ingredients together in a food processor. 

Put into air tight container and chill for 2 hours. 

It can keep for up to two weeks in the fridge or 1 year in the freezer.

This recipe can be tweaked with out much change to it. I never really measure anything. This drives my sister crazy. I typically just fill my little Ninja blender full of raspberries and as much of the other ingredients as i think look good. It's always turned out yummy.

I am obsessed with these quilted mason jars so everything i make goes straight into one of them. 

Now Add a bow and veala! Am i right?