things i love // warm up

Sheesh, Old Man Winter really unleashed some serious shade this week. Wherever you live, I sincerely hope you and yours are all safe and warm. We’ve enjoyed our typical super erratic Colorado weather this week too, which has led us gracefully from gloomy negative temps to dumping snow to warm sunny melting and back again. No boring same-old weather here, we’re always on our toes. My little family finalized some plans for a close-to-home, but worlds away adventure for spring break, which I’m super giddy about (more soon). I’ll be holding on to that bright dream to help me ride out any cold gloom coming our way in the next few weeks. I have some fresh ideas this week for keeping YOUR winter blahs at bay, too. So make a hot cuppa or hug a fuzzy blanket and settle in for a little warming trend for just a few minutes. And take good care of yourselves, lovelies. xo

I realized this week that we’ve been in some form of quarantine for just about a full year now. I know, I know, I DEF don’t need to remind you (gah, sorry!), but I’m *just* now starting to feel a bit claustrophobic. Don’t get me wrong, I am eternally BEYOND grateful for our health, our beautiful home, our ability to access fresh air and the stunning outdoors, the fact that I actually like my little family and a million more things big and small that I thank my lucky stars for each day. Maybe it’s the shot of real winter we’ve had these past weeks or just a craving to get out to see new things, but in any case, it might just be time to mix things up a bit.

Like maybe learn something new? Like maybe punch needling? The super clever sisters at The Modern Crafter in the U.K. make it look so appealing, I think it just might be the answer. They sell ready-made kits for beginners that come with all of the high-quality supplies and tools you need to create something beautiful all by yourself, even if you’ve never even heard the words “punch” and “needle” in the same sentence. And when you’re finished with your project, you’ll have a magical piece of artwork or pillow that YOU MADE. Now, I’m not gonna lie, the shipping charge for kits is a bit eye-popping because they’re sending you super luxe heavy yarn and supplies from across the pond, but if you take into account that it’s hours of entertainment + finished artwork + boosting your mental health, it all seems totally worthwhile. Plus you get to support a beautiful independent maker, to boot.

If you’d rather not have your crafts shipped across the ocean, there’s also this pretty framed Sunrise kit or this Mountain kit that originates stateside and will also impress your visitors (once you can host them). If you want to do a fun indoor (warm + cozy) project with your kiddos, there are lots of options for super cutie themed kits that would be fun for the craft-loving little or t(w)een in your life. So get ready to mix it up a bit and hang in there, the end is on the horizon.
// MODERN CRAFTER SUNSET PUNCH NEEDLE CUSHION KIT $88 //

Pandemic of Love is the absolutely brilliant brainchild of ONE woman at her kitchen table that has turned into a stunning global grassroots phenomenon. Shelly Tygielski is a Florida-based meditation teacher who saw a need last March to help people struggling in her community from the onset of the pandemic. She developed a volunteer-based “mutual aid” system that pairs people who have specific financial needs with community members who are able to help. The idea is that all members of a community should be responsible for caring for one other so that no one member suffers needlessly. Her beautiful movement really caught on and has grown exponentially to include “micro communities” around the world, including Pandemic of Love Boulder.

Like their sister communities, Pandemic of Love Boulder has a unique system that pairs people together directly so that those with financial needs can personally connect with “patrons” who are able to help. For anything from a tank of gas to a single utility bill to school supplies to medicine, any short-term financial gap is eligible for assistance through their network. Patrons can choose to help once or twice or pledge to pay a recurring bill monthly until the need is resolved, creating a safety net of not just funds, but also love + support that’s crucial during this stressful time. And, if making that super personal connection isn’t your thing, you can also either become an anonymous patron, make a one-time donation that will be disbursed as needed or purchase something from the Amazon wishlist that goes directly to the family that requested it.

By the numbers, there are now 100 national chapters, plus 3 dozen internationally, for a total of 1500 worldwide dedicated and compassionate volunteers. Wow. Just since late last March, the Boulder chapter alone has cared for more than 500 families, collecting more than $100,000 in direct support. They also provided winter coats, hats and other cold-weather gear to more than 100 families. How awesome is that?! Pandemic of Love is hoping to keep their powerful mutual aid model going long after the pandemic is over, so please help if you can or reach out if you could use a little supportive love boost from your community.
// PANDEMIC OF LOVE //

I’ve been having my ass handed to me lately (in the best possible way) in an outdoor bootcamp led by my awesome friend, Melissa, of Fit For Me. It has been really nice to get back into working out with other actual people in a fun and supportive environment (she’ll gladly coach you online, too). However, because we’re working out outdoors and in runners, my poor yoga mat is taking a serious beating. It is now an ‘outdoor mat,’ kind of like an outdoor cat, and it’s not welcome in my living room anymore. So, I need a new one for my indoor Bar Method workouts (and my husband’s Asana Rebel workouts).

I have my eye on this Alo Yoga Warrior Mat. It’s a bit more expensive than some others, but it’s loved for its thickness and grip, which is just what I want on my wood floor. Plus, it’s pretty and since it now lives under the couch in our front room as part of our decor, that kinda matters to me. I love the gorgeous, deep Eclipse and Smoky Quartz colors. They’re also PVC-free, non-toxic and are made with ethically-sourced natural rubber, so that’s a win for me. These Liforme Yoga Mats also get amazing reviews and have a cool alignment tool if you’re using it for actual yoga. They’re also free from grody chemicals and will biodegrade when you’re finished with them.

If a bit more budget-friendly mat is best, these Jade Yoga Harmony Mats are also super well-loved and come in some really nice jewel tone colors. These pretty Navajo and Reversible Sun and Moon versions from Gaiam also look awesome. And if you’re going for straight aesthetics, Society6 has a bunch of REALLY pretty yoga mats that will double as artwork in your space. Now if only my shiny new ‘indoor mat’ could instantly transform my body to be able to do so gracefully what’s in those pictures above, we’d really be on to something.
// ALO YOGA WARRIOR MAT $100 //

Do you live where the frigid temps rolled through like a tsunami this week? To help you feel toasty from the inside out, I’m sharing our hands-down family-favorite soup recipe in hopes that it’ll heat you up (assuming you have power and can find anything in stock at the grocery…). This Nom Nom Paleo Watercress & Chicken Soup is so nourishing and delicious, and I make it so often, that my little guy put it down as THE family recipe for his school family heritage project (um, sorry, grandma). Even my super picky one slurps this up, it’s just that satisfying. I add a little pile of cooked rice ramen noodles to the bowl before pouring in the soup for an extra hearty meal and it all just feels like a hug. Her Wonton Meatballs and Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup are also on heavy rotation at our house.

Michelle Tam of Nom Nom Paleo makes beautiful, healthy food that you’ll actually want to eat and can make on an average weeknight. Many (but def not all) of her recipes highlight super delicious Asian flavors and are inspired by her childhood. All of them are healthful and nourishing and I’ve never made anything that I didn’t love. If you eat paleo or KETO, you’ll DEF want to check out her site or her awesome cookbooks (her husband does the illustrations and design) and even if you don’t, it’s just really good food. She shares a lot of recipes or adaptations specifically for Instant Pot, too, if that’s your thing. I have gifted Ready or Not! to several people I love along with a tin of her umami Magic Mushroom Powder (c’mon now, it’s for cooking). It’s a fantastic present for anyone on your list who loves to cook or eat well or for your own rad self. Stay warm and safe and dry, lovelies. Old Man Winter won’t stick around forever, but while he’s here, make a batch of this soup and feel the warmth that I’m sending your way.
// NOM NOM PALEO WATERCRESS + CHICKEN SOUP //

If you’re still chilled to the bone after a workout and a bowl of hot soup, I have one last suggestion this week for warming you up once and for all. Colorado-based Trek Light Gear makes drool-worthy blankets (I’ve been coveting the Gold Peace Blanket for months) and this week they launched their newest design, Halley’s Comet, which is just a lovely breath of fresh air. All of their wares are made for adventuring, near and far, a value super evident in founder Seth Haber’s contagious passion.Trek Light Gear’s mission is to “spread happiness and change the world one customer at a time” and I think they’re succeeding beautifully.

All of Trek Light’s blankets are handmade by artisans in Mexico using excess clothing materials that would’ve ended up in the landfill for the rest of time. The artisans use traditional wooden pedal looms and weave in their own homes, giving them freedom and control over their own work. So what began as a humble venture selling hammocks at festivals, has grown into a truly beautiful company. And in this strange time, they have taken their mission to “spread happiness” one step even further by introducing a “Pay What You Can” system that allows customers to choose from a range of  discounts if needed or pay full price if they can. I mean, who does that?! Trek Light Gear does and it’s just another heartwarming example of people helping people in the best way they know how during difficult days.

If you follow along, you already know that I think blankets make AMAZING gifts for just about anyone and any occasion, especially if you love someone who’s freezing their buns off right now. What better way to warm their buns and their hearts than with a cozy blanket made with the hope of sunnier days ahead.
// TREK LIGHT GEAR HALLEY’S COMET BLANKET $136 //

MORE IN… things i love

banana oat blender pancakes

In the “before times,” my husband traveled quite a bit. When my boys were really wee, they would get super sad and inevitably meltdown at some point during the day, wailing “I miss dada!” Poor little guys. But as they grew and became more used to his jet setting, we began to get a rhythm to our no-daddy days and started a few little sweet traditions that made it feel special. Sometimes I’d bust out a new picture book at bedtime that I’d been saving for the occasion. Sometimes we’d have a pizza party with friends or do something fun after school to distract them. And we ALWAYS had pancake night. My husband s is not a breakfast for dinner kind of guy, but I’m a breakfast for ANYTIME kind of gal, so this became our special ritual when daddy was away. At least one night while he was traveling, we’d sit in front of the TV and eat pancakes and turkey bacon and overflowing syrup for dinner and watch a show. It was “our thing” and almost certainly will be again when my husband some day gets back to that “normal” travel schedule, whatever it may look like.

I’ve been making a just slightly modified version of these Mountain Mama Cooks Banana Oat Blender Pancakes (aka “mama pancakes” in our house) for the better part of 10 years. My guys devour them and since they have no sugar, I feel totally fine about them jamming in as many as they want. They’ve also become one of my own very favorite comfort foods. Over the years, I’ve been on all varieties of elimination diet (that dang fussy constitution again) which is never super fun, but I have almost always been able to pull off some form of these pancakes and they just make me happy. Now, these are NOT the fluffy diner pancakes you might be used to, but they are gluten free, have no refined sugar, have lots of protein AND are delicious, so.... I’m not knocking the fluffies, I LOVE those too, but these are another awesome option and are decidedly a bit healthier if you care. Here’s the recipe to make things super easy for you, but def check out Mountain Mama Cooks’ site, she is super talented.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1 + 1/4 cups almond milk (or whatever kind of milk you like)

• 1 banana

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 scoop collagen powder (optional)

• pinch of salt

• 1 + 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1 egg

• 2-3 tbsp flax seeds (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Put all ingredients (except flax seeds) into a good blender and whizz until just combined. I recommend putting any wet or squishy ingredients in first so the blender doesn’t get jammed. Don’t over-mix. If your batter seems a bit thick, add a little more milk.

• Stir in the flax seeds if using (I have found that if I put them in the blender with the rest of the ingredients it turns the whole thing to cement)

• Put lots of butter or coconut oil on your favorite pancake-making pan and scoop out about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake (you’re making silver dollar size pancakes)

• Flip when ready and then place on a rack to cool so they don’t get soggy

• Slather in butter, syrup, blueberries, more banana, chocolate chips or anything else that sounds yummy and enjoy!

• Make sure they’re cooled completely before putting any leftovers in the fridge

And that’s it! It’s super easy. I also make these ahead of time and bring on rafting or camping trips when I know the group breakfast is going to be non-gf pancakes. Just heat them on the griddle with a little butter and you’re set. And maybe next time you need to mix things up, make pancakes for dinner. It’s the best.

I’ve included below some ideas for fantastic pancake-making gifts in case you love someone who loves to make [or eat] pancakes (if you’re looking for a good set of mixing bowls, look here). xo

1. Crate & Barrel Glass Syrup Dispenser // 2. Beehive Handmade Heart Pancake Spatula // 3. All Clad Double Burner Griddle // 4. Trees Knees Butter Maple Syrup (they have other flavors, too, that sound amazing) // 5. Hand-Carved Wooden Pancake Spatula via Etsy // 6. Linda Hsiao’s gorgeous Bird Pitchers would be amazing syrup dispensers // 7. Tomie DePaola’s wordless book Pancakes for Breakfast was always one of my favorites // 8. Badger Pancake Plate via Etsy // 9. Clea Speckled Measuring Cups from Anthropologie // 10. Maison Plus Gold Measuring Spoons + Cups from Food52 // 11. Lodge Cast Iron Square Griddle via Crate & Barrel // 12. Ekobo Bamboo Nested Measuring Cups // xo

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

things i love // love yourself

Happy Valentine’s Day, lovelies. I hope you’re all feeling the love today, whether from your sweetheart, your kiddos, your neighbor or your favorite pet goldfish. And In case you didn’t get spoiled like you deserve to be by someone else, this week I’m gifting you ideas to spoil your OWN RAD SELF. Sometimes you just need to give yourself a little pat on the back, say “I love you” with meaning and hand over a little something special to celebrate how awesome you are. All of these things would also make amazing gifts for a friend of course, but it’s only fair that you test them out first to make sure they’re worthy, right? I’m all about the “one for you, one for me” method of gifting. So give yourselves a big ol’ bearhug from me and dive in, because you all deserve to be spoiled today and everyday. xo

I got my ears pierced when I was 9 and shortly after that I screwed something up and my cute little holes became more like grumpy ‘meh’ slits for the next 30+ years. It’s such a silly thing to feel self-conscious about, but I could never wear studs in my ears because they drooped down like a melting ice cream cone and just looked sad. So two years ago I went and had them sewn up. It felt very frivolous, but I have to say it made me really happy. Then on my birthday, my husband and I went to the local piercing studio and had my lobes re-pierced and now I can wear studs for the first time in my life. Which is super convenient, because there’s nothing worse than having your earrings snag on your mask while you’re trying to whip it off after escaping the grocery store.

Slantt is a small Austin studio where Jennifer Rodgers hand makes really pretty, very sculptural jewelry. Some is delicate, much is dramatic, but it’s all unique. It has movement and form that is usually reserved for other art forms and I think it’s stunning. Plus her studio is focused on sustainability and uses recycled metal whenever possible, which makes it even cooler. I love these hand-stamped APHERA studs that come in 3 different metals, but if you’re looking for something that makes a bit more of a statement, the SABIA are also gorgeous. I’m totally eyeing her LEGER Cuff, too. All of her designs are super interesting and beautiful. And, FYI, it’s totally ok to buy yourself jewelry. We all deserve a little bling in our lives and who better to spoil you rotten than your biggest fan.
// SLANTT APHERA STUDS $48 //

I was staring kind of wistfully at my closet the other night, lamenting the complete abandonment of my beautiful boots and flats. I’m only just a *wee* bit embarrassed to admit that I put on a pair of suede wedge booties with my dirty old yoga pants and wandered around the house for the better part of an hour, just to remember what it was like to have somewhere to go in clothes that weren’t made for doing squats. I got some looks from the peanut gallery for that one. But the truth is, aside from that little sentimental outburst, I’m really pretty happy in my favorite slippers most of the time. I mean, they’re obvs WAY more comfy than suede wedge booties.

So maybe what I actually need isn’t to mourn my Fryes, but to add a little variety to my comfy slipper wardrobe. Enter these amazing Topdrawer House Shoes. They look like heaven. They’re all hand sewn in Japan, are totally unisex and reversible. Plus you can throw them in the wash after you dribble maple syrup on them, which I totally can’t do with my suede booties. They come in 30 (yes, THIRTY) different color + print combos, so there’s def something for everyone. And they roll up into nothing, so you can bring them traveling. Some are all fuzz, some are just cotton. The only thing that’s kept me from pulling the trigger is choosing THE ones that I love most. Can you help?! Please? Otherwise, it might be back to yoga-pant + wedge-heel walks of shame.
// TOPDRAWER REVERSIBLE HOUSE SHOES $59 //

Ok gals, this is not the sexiest of gifts to express your self-love, but I will tell you that these babies are one of my most-used and prized kitchen tools. And, I’d argue, there’s no greater gift to yourself than the gift of not having to wipe splattered melted butter or marinara from every corner of your microwave. I know they look like cutie little sombreros for your cat, but they are actually Food52’s own line of Airtight Silicone Lids in 5 different sizes to cover just about any bowl you have.

I have an older version that I use for everything from keeping my tea steaming hot while I pack lunch to minimizing splatter to keeping finished food warm. You can also use them to cover prepped grains or veggies or leftovers in the fridge. They basically replace pot lids, plastic wrap and whatever weird old plate you’re using now to keep stuff warm. They can go in the dishwasher over and over again so you can pop that buttery mess onto the top rack and not deal with it again. The lids are also stain-resistant, antimicrobial, airtight, and have no grody chemicals. I honestly use mine just about everyday for something. So, maybe this time leave the sexy gifts to someone else and get yourself something that’s actually super useful and will make your life better.
// FIVE TWO AIRTIGHT SILICONE LIDS $40 //

Wanderlust Creamery is a California-based ice cream shop like none you’ve ever visited. There’s no bubblegum or mint chip to be found, all of Wanderlust’s super distinct flavors are inspired by destinations in the far flung corners of the world. Founders, Adreienne and Jon-Patrick, draw from their childhoods, the places they’ve traveled or places they’d like to visit one day to come up with flavors like Sticky Rice + Mango, Abuelita Malted Crunch (dying for this) and Kashmiri Pink Tea. The Oolong Pineapple Tart also sounds completely outrageous, packing oolong flavored ice cream with house-made pineapple jam and “pieces of buttery Taiwanese style pineapple pastry” into each pint. Um, that’s a big yes, please.

In an effort to keep their business afloat during strange times, they’ve started shipping their ice cream all over the lower 48. If you can’t actually go someplace exotic and far flung right now, you can at least get a sweet little taste of someplace you’ve never been (or maybe feel nostalgic for) and support a really special small business to boot. If you live near one of their 5 California brick + mortar stores, lucky you! Otherwise, you’ll have to order a minimum of 4 pints to qualify for shipping, so… lucky you! Pack some extra spoons and go on a little culinary getaway with friends or family or travel solo, I’ll never judge.
// WANDERLUST CREAMERY PINTS $12 //

Artist, Kerri Rosenthal, is all about the love, so today seems like the perfect day for you two to meet. She’s an artist, stylist and designer with a super distinct style that’s all about spreading happiness, kindness and sunshine in a big colorful joy explosion and it makes me smile. She is ALL about the hearts and her signature imperfect “drippy hearts” have become iconic (apparently we share a love of yellow ones), but she also does playful portraits and abstracts, and often gives meaningful words center stage. In addition to adorning walls, she has created a little empire, putting her original, happy artwork on everything from greeting cards to surfboards to wallpaper in an effort to spread the love as far and wide as possible. She also makes clothing and accessories if you prefer to wear your happy and radiate it wherever you go. If you’re local, you can find a few of her things at Eleanor and Hobbs in downtown Louisville, lucky gals.

If her over the top positive vibe doesn’t speak to you for your own walls (or heads), it’s still totally worth a pop over to her site for a minute to look at the actual artwork that inspires the brand and just take in the happy outpouring of love and color and inspiration. If you love someone who would *love* her kind of sunshiny bliss, there are some awesome gifts to be found for both your happy-loving adults and t(w)eens. And, lovelies, I really do hope we CAN hold hands soon.
// KERRI ROSENTHAL //

things i love // let me entertain you

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! All of my guys are big football fans, but my oldest is also a huge Patrick Mahomes + Chiefs fan (sorry, Broncos!) and my littlest is writing a biography about Mahomie at school, so they are PUMPED. My husband is rooting for Brady as a fellow “old” guy and just to spice things up because my boys are seriously down on the GOAT. I’m making Killer Chicken Thighs (aka Everyone’s Favorite Chicken” in our house - if you make it I recommend cooking it at 425 for about an hour and fifteen unless you have some very petite thighs) and Mushroom Cauliflower Rice, probs with a side of gooey nachos just because. I always love the Super Bowl commercials, of course, and am pretty excited to see The Weeknd perform. Though in my true heart, I desperately wish we could host our friends for our annual(ish) Super Bowl Party. You’ll notice in my selections this week that I’m pining for spring and just dying to entertain friends and family, it’s one of my favorite things to do. But alas, we’ll have to keep our family-only party going for a bit longer (thank GOODNESS I love our family-only party). Whatever you have on the roster today, enjoy it. I’d love to hear what kind of awesome [slash gross] things you make for the big game. I’m glad to have you all on my team, lovelies. xo

Hygge Life in the Vail Valley is everything you’d dream of in a space designed to celebrate warmth, coziness, togetherness and gorgeous Scandinavian design. It’s serious beautiful eye candy and I would basically like one or two of everything they have. But in particular, my eyes keep coming back to these stunning Danish Brass Twinkle Candleholders. Each teeny tiny hole is hammered by hand to create a magical twinkling effect that would be so pretty on a dining table. They have 3 different sizes that could be mixed up into a gorgeous little cluster. I also love these Swedish cast-iron candleholders that have 2 concentric circles that can hold 3 different sized candles depending on your mood or the ambiance you’re trying to create. Or these gorgeous tall solid brass Dome Candleholders that would be super dramatic and beautiful. Um, can you tell that I’m dreaming about entertaining someone in our house besides my cutie boys?!

If you’re ever in the Vail Valley, Hygge Life is def worth taking the small detour to find (it’s tucked away in an industrial strip mall off the frontage road). They also have a truly lovely cafe with coffee and sweets, so you can take a break and thoroughly enjoy the hygge.
// DANISH BRASS TWINKLE CANDLEHOLDERS $44.95 //

In addition to my passion for entertaining, I am also a bonafide cheese lover. And since there’s no better way to get a party started than with a heaping plate of cheese, I am now also a lover of Marissa Mullen and her brilliant cheese-plate-building method. She has developed a sort of paint-by-numbers way to build incredible, overflowing boards of cheese, meat, fruit, veggies, spreads, dips, nuts, herbs… you hungry yet? They’re dreamy and so appealing, but also totally accessible and something you could actually make with her streamlined method. She offers virtual classes + recipes on her site and some of her most popular plate builds to get you started. She even shares some of her favorite serving pieces for inspiration (spoiler alert: they’re super reasonable and not fancy).

That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life is Marissa’s drool-worthy book and it’s just fun to look at her dreamy photographs even if you only ever end up creating a mini plate for yourself (aka what I would *like* to eat for lunch EVERY darn day). So, if you love a cheese-lover or a hostess [or host] with the mostess, think about gifting them one of Marissa’s classes or books. It just might change their life. And when we can have piles of kiddos over again, I’m dying to make one of these char”treat”erie plates. Just fun goodness.
// THAT CHEESE PLATE WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE $28 //

I LOVE a cup of hot tea (or two or three) in the afternoon. It feels so good to warm up your body from the inside out and to just take a minute to breathe. I crave it and start looking forward to my little after-school ritual by about mid morning. But I stopped drinking caffeine regularly like 12 years ago when I got pregnant with my first babe and even the mildly caffeinated green tea that I love is starting to mess with my sleep (sigh, getting older). I also have a seriously fussy constitution, so I skip out on some of the more popular herbs like mint and ginger. SO I’ve been on a really dedicated mission to find a tea that I can drink to my heart’s content without upsetting any of my *delicate* little systems. Well, shout it from the South African mountain tops, I have found my true love!

Honeybush is a super delicate, slightly sweet tea that is naturally decaffeinated and is delicious as a single-ingredient brew. It comes from a shrub in a specific area of South Africa and its yellow flowers smell a bit like honey, hence its name. As a happy added bonus, it also has several incredibly beneficial health properties, including polyphenols that help combat heart disease and inflammation. It has been used in South Africa for centuries for everything from coughs to menopause to a digestive aid and I can’t get enough of it (my little adores it too, it’s super mild and has no tannins, so no bitterness). I’ve been really enjoying the Numi Organic Honeybush that I picked up at Vitamin Cottage, and I’m going try this Smith Teamaker version, too, just to mix it up (I know I’m getting super wild over here). If you love a good cuppa, give it a try, it’s divine.
// SMITH TEAMAKERS HONEYBUSH HERBAL INFUSION $12 //

To know me is to know my loving dedication to Baggu Reusable Bags (and to find a least one long strand of my hair in all the food I serve you. Sorry.). I think they’re the bees knees for so many reasons and they’ve just dropped some springy new prints that are so breezy and sunny, I might need to add a few more to my already, um…‘impressive’ collection. In fairness, I do share and before you judge, indulge me for just a sec… For starters, Baggus are hands down the cutest reusable bags you’ll find. So, right there, they’ve got me. I’m such a sucker for a great print + color combo and they continuously just nail it. I get so many compliments when I pull them out and the grocery baggers always pop a big smile (one asked me once if I owned the company because I had so many, which was *slightly* embarrassing, so…maybe do judge).

They’re also the most durable reusable bags around. I’ve had some for like 7 years and they look brand new. They can be machine washed and hung to dry, which I’ve done literally 100 times in the last 12 months, and there’s nary a tear or pull in a single one of them. Also they hold SO MUCH stuff and pack down tiny for travel. They make awesome gifts all by themselves (hello teachers, yoga instructors, galentines therapists…) or as the fabulous and eco-friendly wrapping for another gift. And maybe best of all, I use them all the time when I deliver meals to friends in need. It always makes them feel extra special to find their dinner wrapped up in a bright, happy bag that they can use when they’re feeling better (especially the Yellow Happy print).

See, not crazy, right?! They also have a ton of other awesome goods (I’m eyeing the Puffy Earbud Case and Laptop Sleeve) that would make excellent gifts. So, check out their new prints and you’ll feel just a little warm glimmer of the sunshine coming our way.
// BAGGU REUSABLE BAGS from $10 //

While we’re on the subject of springtime, among all of the other refreshing virtues of the season comes the promise of new outdoor adventures (yay!). VSSL is a very cool outdoor survival kit company with a unique product and they’ve just released their newest must-have gear piece to the lineup.

VSSL kits pack tiny canisters of essential outdoor gear inside a top-of-the-line flashlight and compass unit, creating a sort of Swiss Army Knife of survival necessities. You can either choose from one of their already well-though out versions, like First Aid or Camp or Flask (obvs a necessity for some), or you can customize your own with the tools that are most relevant to your particular adventure. It’s brilliant. I gifted a Camp Supplies kit to my husband for Christmas and he keeps it in the truck for all of the ‘just in case’ scenarios that run through your mind when you’re adventuring WAY out in the boonies. It has things like Fire Starter, Rope + Razor, a Fishing Kit, a mini First Aid kit and tons more that just give you a little peace of mind and are actually useful. It easily moves from truck into daypack and is super lightweight so you’ll never know it’s there until you need it. VSSL kits are waterproof, virtually indestructible and can be restocked so you can reuse it forever.

And now, they can solve all of your pressing (get it?!) coffee emergencies, too. With the new VSSL Java Coffee Grinder, your die-hard, adventure-loving coffee nerd can have freshly ground beans even 15 miles deep on a backpacking trip. It’s a burr grinder with 50 unique settings to get everything just right for your brew. It’s incredibly durable (made with aircraft grade aluminum) and also super lightweight. Pair it with the compact Aeropress GO and a Miir Tumbler and you are set up for a great morning, either in the far reaches of the wild or your backyard. If you’re still looking for a Valentine’s gift for your sweetheart, this could be a fantastic answer.
// VSSL JAVA COFFEE GRINDER $150 //

daddy smoothie

OUR FAVORITE ACAI + OAT SMOOTHIE

THIS NOW-beloved smoothie is named for my husband after he improvised trying to make our old favorite Banana Oat smoothie while mama was away and ended up accidentally creating a brand new favorite. It’s not that pretty looking [the color’s weird, just saying], but it is delicious and super nutritious. My little asks for a ‘daddy smoothie’ most mornings [and after school] and I’m happy to make it for him as a fantastic way to start the day. Well, he asks for the smoothie and an entire package of bacon. You need some balance, right?

I’M NOT much for measuring when I’m making smoothies (and my husband DEF isn’t), so adjust according to your likes. Throw it all in a good blender and whizz until smooth. And then cheers my little guy and his giant plate of bacon. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup almond milk (or favorite dairy/non-dairy milk)

• 1/2 cup rolled oats

• 1 banana

• 1 packet frozen açaí [frozen blueberries or blackberries or all 3 would be yummy, too]

• 1 heaping scoop vanilla protein powder [we use Orgain Organic Vegan Vanilla Bean but use whatever kind you like - if you use a plain one, just add a dash of vanilla extract]

• a couple shakes of cinnamon

• a big squirt of honey

• a big handful of ice cubes

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