Flutter like a butterfly, stop and smell the flowers like bees! Yup…made that up just now! 🙂 I’m sharing our cute flutter sleeve outfits today because I posted some photos on Insta and got lots of questions. They’re soft, comfy, cute, and super versatile! I wore my dress with wedges (linked below) as well as some easy going flip flops. Sneakers would be super cute with this dress as well – and help transition this outfit (with a cozy cardigan) to Fall. I mean – talk about getting a ton of use out of these!
Sofia loves her new dresses (the kids ones are actually tunics) because they’re girlie and comfy – and she can run and play in them! I plan to put leggings under them for the cooler months to get more use out of them. Yay!
These GAP dresses and the pink shoes below are also on sale and you can get an extra 20% off with the code EVERYTHING through 7/30/18 (see gap.com for details). I linked my exact sunnies, my super fun (and comfy) wedges, Sofia’s exact shoes and a cute pair of kids sunnies for a steal! I also linked some other dress colors and accessories that are fun and will work with lots of other items in your closet. Keep scrolling for a pic of the black version of this dress – I paired it with a super cute bag (linked below) and some flip flops. I felt polished but also like I was wearing cozy PJs all day…that is a total win! Have a great week loves! Muah!
Shop My Look
Shop Sofia's Look
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs Organic Chicken Drummies (10 – 12 chicken legs)
- 1/2 Cup Water
- 1 Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce (coconut aminos can be subbed)
- 4 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 4 Tbsp Honey
- 4 Tbsp Organic Cane sugar (coconut sugar can be subbed)
- 4 Tsp Minced Garlic (or 4 cloves minced garlic cloves)
- 2 Tsp Ginger concentrate (or 2 tsp minced fresh ginger) – image below shows my fave Ginger Juice by the Ginger People (thank you Whole Foods)
- 1.5 cups Mirepoix (fresh or frozen – found at most grocery stores including Trader Joes). If you don’t have this on hand, sub 1 cup diced onion
Instructions
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, sugar, garlic and ginger concentrate until it’s a well mixed sauce.
- Put the mirepoix mix into the Instant Pot and pour the sauce on top.
- Put all of the chicken drummies into the Instant Pot and push down into the sauce. They do not need to be completely submerged but should be partially covered. I used chicken with the skin on, but I would recommend using skinless because the bones provide enough flavor.
- Seal the top of the Instant Pot and cook on high for 10 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 5-10 minutes and then release the remaining steam (there shouldn’t be much).
- Remove the drummies and put into a serving dish (something with sides to keep the sauce in).
- You can pour the sauce as is on top of the chicken and eat with white rice. If you want a thicker sauce, sauté
the sauce in your Instant Pot (after you take out the chicken) until it reduces a bit. - ENJOY! Top with scallions and/or sesame seeds for a little extra something! Keep scrolling for more photos and some ideas of what to serve as a side dish for this meal! XOXO
What to serve with it?
What to serve with it?
- Steamed white rice
- Fried rice
- Steamed broccoli
- Wok tossed mixed veggies
- Chinese broccoli with mushrooms
- Egg drop soup
- Pot stickers
- Garlic bok choy
Ok mommas, I’m sharing something that I’m pretty excited about! Who has kiddos who grow out of their clothing way too fast? You do? Me too!!! That being said, I like a good deal on things for my kids because I have no idea how long they will actually be worn. New items are always fun but can cost a lot, and aren’t great for camp, activities, play dates and school. I love getting something a little special for family photos, holidays, birthdays, things of that nature. But what about all the other days of the year that require functional yet cute clothes for our kids??? I have the ultimate solution. A solution that simplifies the whole process, saves money, time and helps keep your kids in clothes that are cute and actually fit! Kids on 45th.
Someone very wise once said, “I love it when someone else pays full price first.” I could not agree more! Preloved clothing is something I’ve always loved for myself, and now love for my kids. To find a fantastic deal on the brands I love is always a big win! Shopping preloved can be a huge hassle though. Not everyone lives near a good store that sells high quality and good condition preloved kids clothing. It can be a tall order. Even then, you need to find the time to go and pick through everything.
Kids on 45th makes the whole process A LOT easier! They do all the sourcing and are SUPER picky about what they accept. We’re talking no fading, pilling, stains or wear. They only accept items that are in excellent used or like-new condition, which makes it pretty easy to love what they have to offer!
Kids on 45th is a momma-owned and operated company with a physical retail store in Seattle! They recently launched a subscription box service where parents can order custom quantities of what they need (and want) for their kiddos. You buy what you need based on how your kid is growing. That means if you don’t need any pants, but you are in desperate need of shorts and tshirts, that is what you can order!
The subscription box is 4 times a year, based on the changing seasons, which is when we all realistically start looking for things like swimsuits and shorts for the Spring/Summer, jackets and pants for Fall/Winter, and those other necessary items to fill in the gaps. The current seasonal schedule is March, June, August and November, but you can always request a date change – or add a shipment mid-season (growth spurts happen whenever they want).
I got to try Kids on 45th first hand and let me tell you, I’m sold. Gabe has a couple pairs of jeans that still fit, and it’s Summer, so I requested clothes for him that I knew he needed like shorts and tshirts. I also asked for no characters because they are pretty strict at school, and I think it’s easier to mix and match clothing without characters on them. Sofia on the other hand needed leggings (which I put under her dresses a lot), shorts and cute Summer tops. What did I get??? A fantastic selection of kids clothes for a deal! I mean 14 items for under $50 is AMAZING! I didn’t wait for a major sale, I didn’t have to search for coupon codes, I didn’t have to go dig through clothes hoping to find something cute in their size…I didn’t even have to go to the store! They did it for me! 🙂
Gabe now has some super cute shirts and shorts that I can mix and match any day of the week. They are so cute that they work for more than camp and school – they are perfect for a family meal out as well! Sofia now has Summer clothes that fit her, and she can play in style and comfort. I’m so beyond happy that this subscription box exists because it’s something I actually NEED! You can see the actual box of clothes that I opened up by scrolling down. I was SO excited to get this in the mail!
The image below is of the letter that came with my box. It shows what I ordered (based on what I truly needed for my kids), as well as what was saved by purchasing preloved clothing. Because most of the clothes are preloved, the boxes are full of clothes that are not only super cute, and a fantastic price, but they are also good for the environment! Yup…this tree hugging mommy is a huge fan of that aspect.
It’s always great to do something good for the environment – and this is something great that you can do while getting what you need for your family…AND it sets a great example for the kiddos! We talk to our kids a lot about recycling, composting, and saving energy. This is a really fun way to show them that every new thing takes energy to make, and every preloved item we use helps save the planet. Yup! Another reason why I’m sold on Kids on 45th! 🙂
So how do you give this a try? Excellent question! Click HERE to get started! You’ll fill in some basic info, and then start to build your box. We received Summer items, which we needed, but my next box will be full of back to school items and I am SO excited. Gabe is starting kindergarten at the end of August, so a back to school wardrobe for him will be needed. It’s also fun because the items are a surprise! I get the final say in terms of what my kids NEED (pants, long sleeved shirts, etc.) – but the box comes with brands and styles that are a surprise for my kiddos (and me)! It’s a lot of fun and makes it feel pretty special for my ever growing children!
The clothing shown on my kiddos in this post are all from Kids on 45th. You can see how fun and versatile they are – and how easy it will be to mix and match with the other items in the box – as well as items that we already own. Another win for mommy! You can see the basic breakdown (price per item) below – which shows you what a full wardrobe box would look like. I mean a swimsuit for $3.50 and not at the END of the season? Yes please!
Ok…I’ve given you all the details so now it’s up to you to check it out! I’m not kidding around when I say it’s worth it. I hope this was helpful and am more than happy to answer questions about my experience with Kids on 45th. Please visit my Instagram, follow me for more fun stuff, and DM me with any questions! 🙂 I’m excited about this momma owned company and LOVE what they are doing. Kids grow – and they grow fast! They all need clothes for the seasons, and they all have growth spurts. Hopefully this will give you a budget friendly way to keep up with your cutie pies! Enjoy! Muah!
“Live for moments you can’t put into words.” There is so much truth to this quote, I can’t even explain it. My kids are growing up so fast, that all I want is for time to slow down so I can take it all in! Making memories doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Making memories can be as simple as being in the moment and having a good laugh with your family.
Today I’m sharing some tips and ideas that are simple and can still make special birthday dreams come true. You can make memories that will last and not break the bank. Be with those you love and enjoy playing, laughing and the moment at hand. Keep scrolling for a short list of ideas that will make any birthday child feel special – and will create lasting lovely memories for the whole family!
I’ve also linked similar outfits (pink tulle, birthday crown, etc.) if you want to shop our look. We took this photo a week ago today, on Sofia’s actual 3rd birthday. She wanted to dress up as a princess for her birthday and I was happy to make that happen! My pink tulle dress has been worn and used in several photos with Sofia since she was born, so I’ve definitely gotten my full value! 🙂
Shop My Look
Shop My Look
Tips & Ideas
- Send an e-card: You don’t need to pay for invitations. Almost everyone has email these days, so an e-card is an easy, cute and affordable way to invite friends and family to your bday celebration. Some of my favorites are evite and paperless post. For those who don’t have email (for example, older family members), give them a call to say hello and give them the birthday details. You can also write a letter which is more personal and still cost effective.
- Try to plan the party at times when full meals will not be expected. For example, 9-11am for young kids who nap, or 1:30-4pm for kids who don’t nap anymore. You can still have snacks and cake, but a full meal won’t be expected. Also, kids birthdays don’t need to last all day. Keep it to a couple of hours so it is manageable and not overwhelming. If you do want to include more food, do a pot luck! It’s fun and gets your friends and family involved, while keeping costs down!
- Go to the dollar store or look online for a deal on party supplies. You can get balloons and other fun decorations for a deal! I found a great birthday bundle online with free shipping and beautiful decorations that made Sofia’s eyes light up! It was under $12 and came with pom poms, a banner, hanging decorations and more. I posted an image of the decorations I ordered above – and am so happy with my purchase!
- Depending on the time of year, have the party at a playground. We picked a park that had a fantastic kids playground last year and it was under $30 to reserve the picnic tables through the park system. I called ahead and filled out the paperwork to ensure we had the tables reserved. You don’t have to reserve them, but other people will, so keep that in mind. Even if you show up early, someone else who reserves them has the right to take them from you. We used the tables for the cake, gifts, drinks, snacks, and for people to sit and take a rest. The playground is free and the kids have a blast running and playing on the equipment. It is a huge money saver and win for kids that are playground age!
- If you have kids with birthdays that are close together, consider throwing one party for both of them. My kids are both July babies, so we do 1 party for both kids. We still do something special as a family on the actual day of their birthday, but 1 party is fun and saves us a lot of money and planning. It also makes sense when inviting friends and family, so you aren’t asking them to reserve 2 weekends and make the trip twice. You are combining things to make it easier on everyone! 🙂 There are lots of themes that work for boys and girls – so keep that in mind. You can go generic with a color scheme that fits both kids, or pick a kids TV show/movie that they both like. We threw a Paw Patrol party at the park last year and it was a big hit for both my kiddos!
- Make the cake yourself – or consider a cupcake cake! I’ve done both and it has worked out beautifully! Making your own cake (yes I used a boxed mix) is fun because I got the kids involved. For a more traditional cake, I got some little toys that were on theme (figurines that were cute and inexpensive) to use as decorations – and my kids got to keep them as toys after the party. You can also make cupcakes and frost them all on top so they have a flat surface. This method is a cupcake cake – which you can see here! I put two cupcake cake images (look above and below) to give you some ideas – the turtle and sunflower are both SO cute and easy to do! A cupcake cake will allow you to decorate the cake like a normal one if you want to (so you can write happy birthday), or make them into a fun shape – AND you won’t need anything to cut the cake because everyone can just take a cupcake from the bottom. It is a huge help when the party is at a venue like the park. No need for plates, forks, knives, etc. You’ll still need napkins though! 🙂
- Have your kiddos pick their favorite meal for their special day. This does NOT need to be part of the party. I let my kids pick their favorite meal for dinner on their birthday and it is always super special. If they are too young to say what their favorite is, pick based on what you believe their favorite is. I’m sure you know what meal they go crazy over – like pizza, spaghetti, pancakes, etc. Have fun with it! Maybe it means breakfast for dinner! How fun and memorable!
- Think about keeping the party small. You don’t have to do a huge gathering to have fun! Take photos, run and play, and make it memorable by actually playing with your kids! Having a ton of guests can also mean hosting and not really spending time as a family. My kids would rather run around and play with me than have a ton of guests and no quality time. Keep that in mind as you plan. You can have a great time without overdoing it with a huge gathering. Make it about quality time and being truly in the moment. Take some memorable photos and videos on your phone to share with them later on – so they can remember those precious moments or relive how fun it was to blow out the candles on their cake! 🙂
- Have fun with party games! So many fun kids games have little or no cost! These are some fun examples:
I hope these ideas help you to have a beautiful birthday party that makes your child’s dreams come true – while not breaking the bank! It is truly about making special memories and spending quality time together with the birthday child! xoxo
My baby sparkles so much she could be a firework! Ha! Ok…with the 4th coming up I just couldn’t help it. 🙂 That being said, I’m all about this Summer outfit. Yes, it is perfect for the 4th. It is also perfect for Summer in general – which means I’m getting more bang (like a firework) for my buck! Yup – that makes this mommy happy! I’ve linked Sofia’s EXACT outfit below, as well as an alternative outfit in the same color scheme.
This red gingham dress is comfy, lightweight, lined, has cute little flutter sleeves, and the cutest embroidered detailing along the bottom. For Sofia’s dress and other cute GAP items, use the codes GO4TH and MOREFUN to get free shipping and between 40-60% off!
The shoes, jacket and bows are all from Target and are on repeat in our house. The shoes are SO cute, comfy, and a crazy good price! The jacket is soft, washes beautifully, and goes with so many Summer outfits it’s ridiculous! Sofia has this jacket on in the AM before it heats up, and the PM when it starts to cool down. It’s going to carry us through Summer and into the cooler temps. It is true to size but if you want it to last longer, size up and roll the sleeves. Worth it!
Have a Happy 4th and a wonderful week! Be safe and enjoy the fun! Muah!
Children…the little love bugs that make me the happiest person in the world and drive me absolutely crazy…usually in the same day! Do I love them with all my heart? Yes, unconditionally! Do they make me nuts sometimes? Absolutely, without a doubt! Being a mom is the most rewarding and exhausting thing I’ve ever done. It is a 24/7 job that has huge rewards, but is also taxing at times. Big emotions for parents and kids alike – the good and the bad.
Because I know I’m not alone, I want to share something that has helped our family. If you have kids, my guess is that you have lost your temper at some point or another. If not, I am super impressed and want to learn from you! My goal is to stay as zen as possible with my kids, but there are times when that feels impossible. We talk about our kids emotions so much, but parents emotions are important and effect our children a lot.
Before sharing more, let me say two things. First, we have happy kiddos. Tantrums are normal and not fun – and even the happiest of kids have them. Second, we are not perfect parents. Kids are always growing and changing, and we’re learning as we go. We’re also human, so we have good and bad days, so we react the best we can on any given day. Our goal is to help our family to be happy and function in the best way possible, which sometimes means new rules.
Our family recently went through a lot of changes. We moved, we bought a new house, our son graduated from preschool and knows he will be starting kindergarten soon, and my grandfather passed away. Our son does not do well with change, so this has been a turbulent time in our household.
So many things can cause acting out in toddlers. Exhaustion, confusion, changes (like those listed above), and so much more. Adults have bad days, so why do we expect our toddlers not to? The difference is, we need to help our toddlers to deescalate and move towards a better remainder of the day.
In our home there are great days where all is well and there is nothing but peace and harmony in our home. It sounds nuts, but those super productive, happy go lucky, no drama days do exist! Then there’s the opposite. On the drama days, it was hard to know what to do or how to act. I tried everything. Reasoning with my 4 year old toddler was usually a huge fail. Trying to negotiate was no better. Getting mad only made things worse. So…I went online and did some research while my husband asked some friends who have kiddos.
What entered our lives was a book – a handy book with easy rules that have already started to help. 1, 2, 3 Magic is the title and I’m a big fan. The parent book isn’t long (my guess is I’m not the only one out there with limited free time to read), and there is a kids book which outlines the new rules of the house for your child/children. There’s a workbook as well, which is actually for the parents. We have not tried it yet but I want to share that it does exist if you’re looking for something interactive to help as you learn this method.
Look…I’m a talker (huge surprise right?) – which doesn’t help with tantrums. I so badly want to reason with my kids but it doesn’t make it better! I don’t want to give in either, because it’s important to me that they don’t get what they want when they are acting out. At the end of the day, tantrums make our whole household very unhappy. This book has already helped to simplify things for our family, and with consistency, it’s giving us the tools to work with our very willful 4 year old son (and I’m sure our daughter as she gets older).
Bottom line is, you are not alone. Toddlers are like tiny teens who think they know it all and demand what they want with irrational behavior, yelling and tears. It’s normal. We’re all in the same boat – and anyone who says they aren’t is lying! 😉 Books like this exist because parents all need the help – but most are too afraid to admit how crazy their toddler can get.
1, 2, 3 Magic is a worthwhile read for any parent of toddlers looking for a way to gain some sanity back, and have simple yet real tools that actually work in their household. Oh! And did I mention there’s helpful tools with simple rules for bedtime tantrums specifically? Yup! So…check out 1, 2, 3 Magic, share this post with others who you feel are in the same boat (sharing is caring) and please let me know what you think! Happy reading!
