sweet distraction

MY LITTLE guy was NOT feeling home school Monday today. He lost steam mid morning and staged a full boycott. So we took a little break and made some valentines to tuck into our Love Bombs. I got out ALL the stuff and we had fun creating some imperfect, perfectly heartfelt cards for our friends (shield your eyes local friends, it’s supposed to be a surprise).

I ESPECIALLY love his red guy with the giant heart eyes. You can’t really go wrong if it’s made with love. Here are some of the materials we used and some that we’d *love* to add to our collection in case you need to freshen up your supplies. Now back to making volcanoes out of PlayDoh for science! Check out the Gift Guide to Art Supplies for Kids + Teens for TONS more creative supply ideas. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

// 1. Meri Meri has the cutest stickers // 2. Yellow Owl Workshop has adorable Rubber Stamps // 3. Pipsticks has TONS of amazing Valentine Stickers // 4. Ooly has the cutest art supplies for ANY time of year // 5. All the cute Heart Washi Tape // 6. Heart Doilies are super fun // 7. Make lots of valentines with these Paper Cut-Out Hearts // 8. Rhinestones add ALL the sparkle // xo

things i love // launch

Wow, that was a week. It feels like the light was turned on; like the sun came out. The collective feeling of hope and strength that’s emanating feels so good (please please let us hold on to it). The world met Amanda Gorman and will now never forget her words and her exquisite, mesmerizing reading of them. My son is already studying her poem at school and I’m so proud that his rad teacher seized this moment to teach the kids about the power of language. I heard Amanda Gorman interviewed and she said she doesn’t draw inspiration from pictures, but from snippets of phrases and words, which is so fascinating to me because I’m such a visual person.

And, in other *slightly* less profound news, it’s almost Valentine’s Day! If you missed my posts about Love Bombs and Galentine’s Day, check them out for some awesome gift ideas. And if you celebrate the day with your sweetheart and need a little help choosing THE perfect thing, reach out, I’d be so happy to help give them heart-eyes on the big day.

Here are a few things that caught my eye this week. I come across too many awesome things along the way not to share them, so this is a little expansion of the “things i love” section of the website. Let me know if there are categories of things you’d like to see more of in future. And thanks for hanging with me, lovelies. xo

This Mushroom Cauliflower Rice from Primavera Kitchen is so good and satisfying. I have made it a few times and it has never disappointed. It's really savory and hearty, like healthy comfort food, and it’s super easy. I usually serve it as a side, but you could easily add some protein or put an egg on top and make it a full meal. You can also sub brown or white rice if you prefer - just add the cooked rice to the skillet at the end and skip the broth (this time I actually used Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice, which made it crazy quick!). I have her Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil recipe pinned for when corn comes back in season, it looks so YUMMY.
// PRIMAVERA KITCHEN MUSHROOM CAULIFLOWER RICE //

This Oli & Carol collaboration with iconic Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada is just the cutest AND a portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to pediatric cancer research, which is such a win-win. The bright heart can be used as a bracelet or teether or toy for your littles and Oli & Carol is a gorgeous Barcelona-based company that you’ll feel great about supporting. It’s run by two beautiful young sisters who use sustainable, 100% natural rubber to create their adorable bath toys and then hand-paint each one using food-grade dye. And if that isn’t enough to sell you, the sisters also use a portion of their proceeds to fund a school in northern India. I just love it when I find a company that makes super high quality products AND does good in the world. You’ll also find their awesome toys in Bubbles & Joy subscription boxes.
// HEART BRACELET BY AGATHA RUIZ DE LA PRADA FOR OLI & CAROL $18.99 //

I learned about this facial oil from Lisa at This Organic Girl (if you don’t follow her, you def should, but prep your wallet because you’ll want ALL the things!). My skin is pretty sensitive, so I’ve been keeping it super simple for the last few years. But Colorado’s 300 days of gorgeous sunshine and dry air take a serious toll on a mama’s skin. So I took a chance on this super natural not-at-all-oily facial oil and I AM IN LOVE. In just a few days of morning and night use, I can totally see and feel a difference in the hydration level and look of my skin. My cheeks feel like I’m back in the PNW, all dewy in the middle of January. That’s a serious feat. The Essentialist is a Canadian company that’s dedicated to minimalism in every way, using only natural, sustainably sourced ingredients. Plus they’re Leaping Bunny certified, which is, well, essential as far as I’m concerned. Now if I could get my over-washed sandpaper hands to feel like my face, I’d be all set.
// ESSENTIALIST DAILY RENEWAL FACIAL OIL $110 CAD //

Our whole family loved Wolfwalkers on AppleTV+. The animation is truly stunning and magical. It’s so layered and has incredible movement and depth and so much beauty that I want to go watch it again just to see the details that I missed the first time. And the touching story is also gorgeous. Even if you don’t have kiddos it’s well worth a watch (and it might be a bit dark for super little littles), it was just a real pleasure. They also have a graphic novel that’s equally stunning.
// WOLFWALKERS ON APPLETV+ //

If you follow along with me, you might’ve seen a post earlier this week about 10-year-old Dana and her awesome non-profit, Cookies 4 Cures. Dana bakes cookies to raise money to help fund research into rare pediatric diseases. One of Dana’s sweet friends and fundraising recipients is little Sophie, who loves to dance and has a super rare condition called MCTO that will basically slowly cause her bones to dissolve. Yeah, let that sink in for a minute. There are only around 30 other people in the entire world with this same condition, so it’s just not the focus of a lot of attention or funding. Taking action on behalf of their beautiful daughter, her parents started the non-profit, Sophie’s Neighborhood, to raise money and awareness in hopes that research will catch up and help find a treatment for Sophie and other extra special kids like her who have similarly rare devastating genetic illnesses. Please check it out and help or give whatever you can. And, Dana will is baking some sweet Valentine’s Day cookies for another pop-up on February 13th at Santo in Boulder, so grab a bag of homemade treats for a friend and bring double smiles while you do some good.
// SOPHIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD //

Portland-based artist and illustrator, Lisa Congdon, crushed it this week. She was asked by the Biden Inaugural Committee to recreate the official invitation in her own sunny, happy, bright style and it is truly awesome. She also has a new book coming out in March and I already preordered it because I know it’s going to make me smile. “You Will Leave a Trail of Stars” is a collection of her inspiring, magical artwork, quotes and advice and it looks like a spectacular gift. I’ll def keep you posted on that one, I’m happy to take one for the team.
// YOU WILL LEAVE A TRAIL OF STARS $15.95 //

Hey! Just a heads up that this post includes affiliate links that could earn me a small commission, but rest assured that I stand by all product recommendations 100%. Questions? Reach out, I’m always here for you. xo

inspired // GF snickerdoodles

I can’t think of a better way to roll out the welcome mat than with a plate of warm freshly baked cookies. Plus, I’m just a bundle of nervous pride, excitement, hope and emotion today, so in an effort to channel all of those feelings somewhere, I made a batch of snickerdoodles for President Biden and Vice President Harris (wow, it feels good to finally say that). Or… at least in their honor. I know that the Vice President is an avid home cook and strong believer in the power of food to bring people together; a sentiment I humbly and emphatically share, so it seemed like the best I could do today from my kitchen. My little one snatched a ‘doodle while they were cooling and said “these cookies are amazing!” So that’s endorsement enough for me to think that even the amazing VP might like one or two as she sets off to change the world.

I use a recipe from Mile High Mitts. She’s a fellow Colorado mama so she knows how to bake at altitude. I’ve made this recipe several times and never been disappointed. It’s included here for easy access, but you should check out her site for more sweet high altitude baking recipes.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup softened butter or coconut oil

• 1/2 cup sugar + 1/4 cup for topping

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1- 1/2 cups GF flour (I use King Arthur Measure for Measure)

• 1 tsp cream of tartar (or 2 tsp cornstarch in a pinch)

• 1 tsp cinnamon + 1 tbsp for topping

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350 and line two baking sheets with parchment

• In a large mixing bowl, add your softened butter or coconut oil, 1/2 cup of the sugar and the brown sugar and beat with a hand mixer for 1-2 minutes until creamed together

• Add the egg and vanilla and lightly beat again

• Add the flour, cream of tartar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt to the bowl and gently mix them together before stirring it all into the butter mixture. Stir well to combine.
  Note! In my experience you will end up with a dry crumbly mixture in the end. It’s ok if it doesn’t look like proper cookie batter, trust me.

• On a small separate plate or bowl, mix remaining cinnamon and sugar together

• Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, pack the mixture together to create little balls (I just pretend it’s play doh) and roll them all over in the sugar mix

• Place them on the baking sheet and give them a little nudge to flatten just slightly

• Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are browning but the center is still not set

• Let them cool and then gobble them up with crumbs flying like Cookie Monster

While my cookies will obvs never make it to the White House or change the world like the amazing Madam Vice President surely will, there is one inspired girl in Boulder who IS making a huge difference with her cookie baking, proving that a GIANT heart, determination and a bake sale actually can make the world a better place. Cookies4Cures is a non-profit dreamed up by an awesome 10-year-old baker with a heart of pure gold. Dana started making cookies to raise money for research of very rare (and totally devastating) pediatric diseases, like SMA and MCTO, and has raised more than $100,000 so far “one cookie at a time.” All of the proceeds go to support amazing organizations like Sophie’s Neighborhood to help fund research and give these beautiful kids a fighting chance. Dana bakes adorable (and delicious!) cookies and charges people “what makes your heart feel good.” How awesome is she?! She and her cookies actually COULD end up at the White House some day.

I have SO MUCH hope today! Between Dana and Kamala and the utterly mesmerizing young poet, Amanda Gorman, and JLo, I am confident that we’re on track to do great things. Hug a bad-ass, inspirational girl or woman in your life today and look forward with hope toward a bright future for everyone. xo

homemade almond granola

A DEAR friend has just had surgery and my first order of business was to bake her favorite homemade granola to tuck into the care package I’m putting together for her. There are a million recipes out there and countless ways to customize granola to your liking. I use a modified version of My Gluten-Free Kitchen’s Almond Granola. It’s nourishing and delicious and just really satisfying. I have made a few adjustments to the original recipe along the way to reduce the sugar and bulk up the nutrients, but if you like a sweet granola, her recipe is awesome as-is. My little guy gets super excited when I bake a fresh batch and devours it by the fistful. Here’s the recipe in case you know someone who could use a little extra nurturing [or a kiddo who needs a snack]. xo

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups rolled oats (I use these because they’re GF, but any rolled oats will do)

• 1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds

• 1/2 cup Trader Joes Honey Roasted Sliced Almonds (or similar - they’re the secret weapon!)

• 1 tbsp flax or chia seeds or both (I use this blend)

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (more if you’re a cinnamon lover)

• 1/3 cup butter or coconut oil (or whatever oil you like)

• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

• 3 or 4 tsp vanilla depending on your vanilla love

• 1 cup of dried fruit (I used dried wild blueberries this time, but use anything you love)

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 300

• Line a full-sized baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick

• In a large bowl, stir together oats, flax or chia seeds, almonds, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter or oil and honey or syrup. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir until all the butter is melted and it’s all combined. Once it comes together and simmers for about 30 seconds, remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla.

• Pour the hot liquid mixture over the oat mixture in the bowl and stir well, paying special attention to the little seeds so they don’t all end up in a heap at the bottom of the bowl. Spread the granola on the baking sheet. Bake at 300 until golden brown, about 20-30 minutes. Give it a stir once or twice while it’s baking so you don’t end up with a solid sheet of granola.

• Transfer the pan to a rack and if you want to add in dried fruit or shredded coconut, mix them in now. Cool granola completely.

• When cooled, you can either devour it all in one sitting or put in an airtight container. Or wrap it up to deliver to friends.

MORE IN… recipes

time to nurture

I FOUND out this week that THREE of my friends are scheduled for surgery in the next ten days. Ouch! Surgery is always the pits. The first lovely friend went in yesterday and is safe and sound and on the mend, thank goodness. But this calls for a seriously nurturing get-well care package.

MY FIRST order of business was to bake her favorite Homemade Almond Granola. It’s nourishing and delicious and just a tad sweet. Next I added some Nourishing Tonic and Tummy Teas from Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary to the care package. Rebecca’s is a Boulder staple and I have trusted them over the years to recommend the safest and most beneficial blends for what ails you. They are truly a wonderful resource. These two were chosen for general nourishing support and to help the post-anesthesia yucky belly. I also popped in a little heart-shaped tea infuser (an extra dose of love!) and some unscented lip balm for those dry surgery lips (boo!). I always try for neutral or unscented things for people who are unwell or recovering in case they’re feeling extra sensitive. There’s nothing worse than an overpowering scent to turn your stomach when you’re feeling queasy. And lastly, a pair of super duper cozy Le Bon Shoppe Cloud Socks from Jones + Co. to warm up those frozen toes (I was given some for my birthday and they’re heavenly). I wrapped it all up in a pretty little package, added a sweet note of encouragement and delivered it to her door.

IT’S SOMETIMES hard to know what friends need during or after an event like surgery, treatment or illness. If you know them well, just ask! They might have an answer for you. But sometimes people just don’t know what they need or can’t think about one more thing. Or maybe you don’t know the person well, but want to lend some support. Whatever the case, having been through several surgeries myself, I know that you can’t go wrong with comfy socks or slippers, extra nourishing food or drink, a cozy blanket (read my whole ode to blankets), gentle unscented self-care items and a heartfelt note.

AND IF baking homemade treats and gathering all the contents of a care package isn't on your agenda or your special people are out of town, my lovely friends at MEND have you covered. Their beautiful Wellness Packages were created with loved ones in mind who are “facing, fighting or recovering from cancer,” but I have sent them as perfect, lovely sympathy and get-well gifts, too. They are beautifully and thoughtfully curated and can be tailored to your special person. Plus they mail them direct with a hand-written note, which is amazing for far-away loved ones who need heartfelt support. Use code FLUTTER for 15% off your order.

WHICHEVER gifting path you choose, sharing your time and your heart and your good mojo will go a long way toward helping your special people feel supported while they heal. I’ve included a few other ideas below in case you love someone who could use some nurturing. Be well. xo

// 1. These Le Bon Shoppe Cloud Socks from Jones + Co. are seriously divine // 2. Beautiful MEND Wellness Packages are a perfect solution // 3. Rebecca’s Tummy Tea will help sooth an out-of-whack digestive system // 4. These gorgeous handmade hot water bottle covers and a hot water bottle from Wildflower Nation would be so soothing // 5. I’ve been eyeing these Topdrawer Reversible House Shoes for keeping myself cozy! // 6. This pretty T2 tea infusing mug will make the perfect cuppa // 7. These Hansel from Basel Sweatshirt Socks from Anthropologie look heavenly // 8. Dr. Bronner’s Organic Naked Lip Balm is super simple and my absolute favorite // xo

MORE IN… support + sympathy